The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks against the saffron party during an event in Berlin, Germany. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of attempting to create unrest and instability in Indian democracy by making such statements on foreign soil.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, alleging that both the Congress leader and his party were working against India’s democratic system. Bhandari accused Rahul Gandhi of going abroad to speak against India and of aligning himself with forces that are hostile to the country.

Taking to the social media platform X, Pradeep Bhandari wrote, “From fighting the Indian state, to threatening Anarchy. Rahul Gandhi's Congress, with his ideological patron George Soros, wants Chaos and unrest in Indian Democracy. Rahul goes abroad for uniting such anti-India forces.”

He further intensified his attack by accusing the Congress of opposing India’s democratic values and national progress. In another post, Bhandari said, “Congress hates Indian Democracy. Congress hates Bharat's progress. Rahul Gandhi's Congress wants Anarchy!”

The BJP spokesperson’s remarks reflected the party’s strong opposition to Rahul Gandhi’s comments made during his interaction with students and faculty in Berlin. BJP leaders argued that making allegations about India’s democratic institutions while speaking abroad harms the country’s image and credibility.

Union minister of state Shobha Karandlaje also criticised Rahul Gandhi for his statements made overseas. She accused the Congress leader of repeatedly speaking against the nation whenever he travels abroad and questioned his intentions.

Attacking Rahul Gandhi, Karandlaje said, “Rahul Gandhi is not the leader of the opposition but an anti-India leader who goes abroad and speaks against the nation. What does he aim to gain by doing this? He still behaves like a child, not a leader.”

She further took a swipe at the Congress party’s internal situation, particularly in Karnataka. Referring to the political developments in the state, Karandlaje said, “There is no talk about development in Karnataka but only about who will remain as the CM.”

The BJP leaders’ remarks came in response to Rahul Gandhi’s speech at the Hertie School in Berlin, where he made serious allegations against the BJP-led central government. During the event, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions in the country.

Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the ruling party had taken control of the country’s institutions. He accused the BJP of “capturing the country's institutional framework” and described this alleged action as an “attack” on India’s democratic system.

Rahul Gandhi further alleged that investigative agencies were being misused by the Centre to target opposition leaders. He claimed that these agencies had been “weaponised”, suggesting that they were being used as tools to silence dissent and pressure political opponents.

According to Rahul Gandhi, there exists a system where businessmen are forced to financially support the BJP and not the opposition parties. He alleged a quid pro quo arrangement, implying that support for the ruling party protects certain individuals from action by investigative agencies.

He stated that businessmen in India were encouraged to back the BJP financially rather than opposition parties due to this alleged pressure. Rahul Gandhi claimed that this practice has contributed to the weakening of democratic institutions in the country.

Continuing his criticism, Rahul Gandhi said, “There is a wholesale capture of our institutional framework.” Through this remark, he alleged that institutions meant to function independently were no longer doing so and were instead under the influence of those in power.

Rahul Gandhi’s comments in Berlin triggered strong reactions from the BJP, which accused him of consistently criticising India on international platforms. BJP leaders maintained that such issues should be raised within the country and discussed through democratic processes rather than being aired abroad.

The BJP rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations and defended the functioning of India’s democratic institutions. Party leaders argued that the institutions are independent and strong and accused the Congress of spreading false narratives to discredit the government.

According to the BJP, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks reflect the Congress party’s attitude towards Indian democracy. BJP leaders claimed that instead of contributing constructively to national discourse, the Congress leader chooses to question the country’s institutions and leadership in foreign countries.

The controversy has once again highlighted the deep political divide between the BJP and the Congress. While Rahul Gandhi continues to allege institutional capture and misuse of agencies, the BJP has strongly denied these claims and accused the Congress of attempting to create instability and anarchy.

The exchange of allegations underscores the ongoing political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition, with both sides stiffening their positions and showing no signs of backing down.