The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his controversial remarks that the Opposition is battling not just the BJP but also the Indian State. Union Health Minister and BJP President JP Nadda and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led the charge against Gandhi, accusing him of undermining national institutions and the Constitution.

At the inauguration of the Congress’s new headquarters in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He claimed that the RSS's ideology has existed for thousands of years and that Congress has been opposing it throughout history.

"Our fight is not merely against a political organization like the BJP or RSS. They have captured every institution in the country. We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian State itself," Gandhi said. He further alleged that the current struggle is not fair, implying that the BJP and RSS have tilted the playing field in their favor.

BJP Responds with Strong Allegations

Rahul Gandhi’s statement drew a sharp response from BJP leaders. JP Nadda accused Gandhi of exposing the Congress’s “ugly truth” and said his remarks confirm that he opposes the Indian State itself.

In a post on social media platform X, Nadda wrote, "Mr. Rahul Gandhi has revealed what the nation already knows – that he is not just fighting a political party but also the Indian State. His comments demonstrate his links with Urban Naxals and anti-national forces who aim to discredit India."

Nadda further alleged that the Congress party has a long history of weakening India for political gain and accused Gandhi of trying to divide the nation. "The people of India are wise and have repeatedly rejected Mr. Gandhi and his destructive ideology," he added.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also weighed in, questioning why Rahul Gandhi carried a copy of the Constitution if he believed he was fighting the State. She criticized him for making remarks that undermine the institutions he had sworn to protect.

Gandhi Targets RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat

In his speech, Gandhi also took aim at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his recent statement that India attained “true independence” only after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Gandhi termed the remark "treasonous," saying it insulted the Independence movement and the Constitution.

"Mohan Bhagwat is effectively stating that the Constitution is invalid and the freedom struggle was irrelevant. Such comments are treasonous and, in any other country, he would have been arrested and put on trial," Gandhi asserted.

He further accused the RSS leadership of disrespecting India’s 1947 Independence and undermining the contributions of freedom fighters. "To claim that India did not gain independence in 1947 is an insult to every Indian," he said, adding that it was time to stop tolerating such rhetoric.

BJP-Congress Rift Widens

The exchange marks another episode in the escalating war of words between the BJP and Congress. While Gandhi doubled down on his criticism of the RSS and BJP, BJP leaders reiterated their accusations that the Congress seeks to weaken the nation for political gains.

With both sides standing firm, the political battle ahead promises to be intense as the two parties prepare for upcoming electoral challenges.