Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has criticised Congress leaders, including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, after Italian politician Giacomo Filibeck raised the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” at the Congress’s Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad.
A viral video showed Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy laughing and applauding as Filibeck—Secretary General of the Party of European Socialists—accused the government of undermining Indian democracy.
The remarks sparked immediate political outrage. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Gandhi of acting as a “puppet of foreign powers” seeking regime change with international help. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain similarly condemned the involvement of a foreign national in domestic political affairs, calling the slogans “completely unacceptable.”
Defending the opposition, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut countered the BJP’s criticism, asking why an Italian politician couldn’t speak on human rights issues when Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintains cordial ties with Italy’s leadership.
The controversy continues to fuel intense debate over foreign commentary on India’s internal democratic processes.