Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi triggered a sharp political controversy on Wednesday after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh “traitors” during an address to Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli.

The remarks drew an immediate backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several leaders accusing the Congress MP of using “the language of terrorists” and attempting to insult democratic institutions.

According to reports, Rahul Gandhi told party workers that when RSS members speak about PM Modi and Amit Shah, they should respond by saying, “Your Prime Minister is a traitor, your home minister is a traitor, your organisation is a traitor.” He further alleged that the ruling establishment had “worked to sell out India” and attacked the Constitution as well as the ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.

The Congress leader made the remarks while addressing workers in Rae Bareli, his parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. His comments quickly became the centre of a heated political exchange between the BJP and Congress.

BJP leaders strongly condemned the statement, saying Rahul Gandhi’s comments crossed democratic boundaries. Party leaders claimed his language echoed narratives used by hostile elements against India and accused him of targeting the Indian state for political gains.

The controversy intensified further after Rahul Gandhi also criticised PM Modi over a viral video showing the Prime Minister gifting a packet of “Melody” candy to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome. Gandhi reportedly mocked the gesture amid ongoing political debates over economic and governance issues.

The latest exchange adds to the escalating war of words between the BJP and Congress ahead of key political battles in several states and the broader national political contest. Political tensions between the two parties have intensified in recent weeks over issues ranging from governance and foreign visits to economic concerns and constitutional debates.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, saying the party “will be removed from power in Delhi in the coming days” following the Trinamool Congress’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

According to reports, Mamata Banerjee made the remarks during a meeting with TMC MLAs and senior party leaders at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata. She reportedly urged party workers not to lose morale and asked them to continue strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level.

The statement comes days after the BJP secured a historic victory in West Bengal, ending the Trinamool Congress’s long rule in the state. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari recently took oath as West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister after the party won a clear majority in the Assembly elections.

During the meeting, Mamata Banerjee also reportedly accused the BJP of using pressure politics and “bulldozer culture” against opposition parties. She signalled that the TMC would continue to oppose the BJP aggressively at the national level despite losing power in Bengal.

The political atmosphere in West Bengal has remained tense after the election results. Several TMC leaders have questioned different aspects of the polls, while the BJP has dismissed the allegations and described the result as a mandate for political change in the state.

The BJP’s victory marked a major political shift in Bengal politics. After years of emerging as the principal opposition force, the party finally crossed the majority mark in the 2026 Assembly election and formed the government in the state.

Political observers believe Mamata Banerjee’s latest remarks are aimed at keeping opposition unity alive nationally while the Trinamool Congress focuses on rebuilding its organisation in West Bengal after the electoral defeat.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin has reportedly told party district secretaries to remain prepared for a possible political change in the state, claiming that the government led by Vijay “can fall anytime”.

According to reports, Stalin made the remarks during an internal interaction with party functionaries following the recent political developments in Tamil Nadu. He reportedly asked DMK leaders and cadres to stay ready for elections at any moment amid speculation over the stability of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.

The comments come days after Vijay’s TVK formed the government in Tamil Nadu following a dramatic post-election phase. TVK had emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections but initially faced uncertainty over securing enough support to form the government.

Stalin questions TVK’s political rise

Stalin also reportedly criticised TVK’s campaigning style and suggested that the party gained influence through social media outreach and youth engagement. He maintained that despite the electoral defeat, DMK’s welfare schemes and governance legacy still continue to influence the state.

The DMK leader is also said to have announced a review process within the party to assess the reasons behind its election setback and gather constituency-level feedback from workers and the public.

Political tensions continue in Tamil Nadu

The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu has remained tense since the Assembly election results. Several reports over the past week have highlighted intense negotiations, alliance discussions, and concerns around government stability before Vijay finally took oath as Chief Minister.

Some DMK leaders have also publicly questioned the durability of the new administration, adding to the political confrontation between the two camps.