A protest led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence has triggered an intense political confrontation, with Opposition parties turning on one another even as the BJP stepped in to target its rivals. What began as a demonstration over the alleged examination paper leak controversy quickly transformed into a public slugfest, exposing fresh cracks within the Opposition bloc.
AAP Questions Congress’ Protest Strategy
The Aam Aadmi Party accused the Congress of undermining the ongoing agitation over the alleged examination irregularities, claiming the Centre responded more quickly to Rahul Gandhi’s protest than it had to demonstrations led by Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the Congress protest benefited the ruling establishment rather than strengthening the students’ movement. In a post on X, he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “made Rahul Gandhi sit on a protest to weaken the CJP movement,” escalating tensions between the two Opposition parties.
Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi also questioned the government’s response, alleging that while CJP protesters were prevented from advancing towards Parliament, Rahul Gandhi’s protest reached the Prime Minister’s residence and drew immediate political engagement. She claimed this reflected a coordinated approach between the BJP and the Congress.
TMC, Congress Push Back Against AAP
AAP’s criticism did not go unanswered. Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad publicly rebuked Sanjay Singh, expressing disappointment over his remarks. Responding on social media, Azad wrote, “This was not expected from you… You have shamed our friendship,” signalling unease within the broader Opposition camp.
Congress leader Srinivas BV also hit back, taking a swipe at Sanjay Singh’s post. Questioning the motive behind the statement, he wrote, “Why are you fuming? Did Malviya write this tweet or Chadha?” in an apparent reference to BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya and AAP MP Raghav Chadha.
Meanwhile, filmmaker and comedian Varun Grover criticised Atishi’s remarks, urging her to withdraw the post. Reacting online, he wrote, “Have some shame and delete this,” as the exchange attracted widespread attention on social media.
BJP Seizes Opportunity to Attack Opposition
The BJP used the escalating dispute to accuse Opposition parties of exploiting student concerns for political gain. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya claimed the protests had become a contest for political relevance rather than a genuine movement focused on students.
Sharing his criticism on X, Malviya said, “It is quite obvious that the sponsored protests were never about students. No affected student was given a platform. Opposition politicians frequented Jantar Mantar in search of political relevance, and now we see Congress and AAP squabbling over credit. No one other than the BJP stands for students.”
Student Protest Turns Into Political Flashpoint
The latest developments have shifted attention from the original demands surrounding alleged examination irregularities to a wider political confrontation among rival parties. The public exchange of accusations between the Congress, AAP, Trinamool Congress and the BJP has intensified the political narrative surrounding the protests, even as demonstrations demanding accountability over the examination controversy continue in the national capital.
Q1. Why are AAP and Congress clashing over Rahul Gandhi’s protest?
AAP alleged that the government’s swift engagement with Rahul Gandhi’s protest contrasted with its response to the CJP and Sonam Wangchuk protests, accusing Congress of weakening the larger movement.
Q2. What did TMC MP Kirti Azad say?
Kirti Azad criticised AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s remarks, saying he was disappointed and that the comments were unexpected.
Q3. How did the BJP react?
BJP leader Amit Malviya accused both Congress and AAP of politicising student protests and competing for political mileage instead of focusing on students’ concerns.
Q4. What triggered the political controversy?
The row erupted after Rahul Gandhi staged a protest near the Prime Minister’s residence over the alleged examination paper leak issue and police action against protesters.
