In Maharashtra’s Nagpur, a recent Congress event led by Rahul Gandhi sparked controversy when the BJP accused the party of distributing “blank copies of the Constitution.” The gathering, which focused on protecting and upholding the Constitution, saw heated exchanges between the two parties.

A video shared by Maharashtra BJP on social media—quickly garnering widespread attention—showed booklets labeled "Constitution of India" with blank pages, except for the preamble on the opening page. BJP leaders alleged that this represented Congress’s disregard for constitutional principles.

Congress leaders immediately rebuffed the claims, dismissing them as a fabricated narrative. Vijay Wadettiwar, a senior Congress figure, explained that attendees had actually received blank notebooks and pens, not incomplete copies of the Constitution.

As Maharashtra gears up for its assembly elections, the BJP seized the opportunity to criticize Gandhi and the Congress, accusing them of being "anti-reservation" and "anti-Constitution." The Maharashtra BJP’s official handle posted that "Congress wants to erase Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution," adding that this purported incident reflected Rahul Gandhi’s alleged stance against the reservation.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took aim, scrutinizing the red-covered copy of the Constitution held by Gandhi, claiming it symbolized alignment with “urban Naxals and anarchists.” Fadnavis asserted, “Rahul Gandhi indulges in such drama and frequently disrespects the Constitution.”

Responding strongly, the Maharashtra Congress labeled the BJP’s accusations as "false propaganda," arguing that it’s the BJP and its affiliate, the RSS, who threaten the Constitution’s integrity. They stated, “The BJP's strategy is to discredit the Constitution while accusing those who uphold it.”

During the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Nagpur, Gandhi doubled down on his stance, criticizing the BJP and RSS for undermining constitutional values and calling for a caste census that would go beyond the current 50% reservation cap.

The clash between BJP and Congress over the Constitution and reservation policies highlights an intensifying debate ahead of Maharashtra’s high-stakes elections, with both parties framing themselves as the true defenders of Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy and constitutional values.