New Delhi, February 24, 2026 — Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhil aunched a sharp counterattack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, responding to the PM's criticism of Congress's protest tactics by turning the tables and accusing the government of multiple instances of "shame" involving international controversies and economic deals.
The exchange stems from PM Modi's recent remarks condemning the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers' "shirtless" demonstration at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi as "gandi aur nangi" (dirty and shameless) politics. Defending the protest as a legitimate exercise of democratic rights rooted in the traditions of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, Rahul Gandhi flipped the narrative in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and an accompanying video message.
"Modi ji, you talk about shame? Let me tell you what shame is," Gandhi stated emphatically. He alleged that the Prime Minister's name, along with that of a Union minister and a close associate (implying industrialist Gautam Adani), had appeared in files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein — the convicted sex offender and financier accused of running a sex trafficking network. "Your name being linked to such a vile criminal — that is a matter of shame," Gandhi said, describing it as a "great shame for the nation."
Gandhi further criticized the recently concluded India-US trade deal, claiming it amounted to "selling out" the country. "You've handed over our country's data, finished our farmers, ruined the textile industry — this is shameful," he asserted. He argued that the agreement heavily favored the US, with India conceding on key areas like digital trade rules, tariffs, and energy security while receiving little in return.
The Congress leader also referenced the ongoing US legal case against Gautam Adani and his group, alleging it had caused the PM "sleepless nights" because it targeted not just the industrialist but the "BJP and your financial architecture." He noted that no action had been taken in the matter for 14 months, calling this inaction "shameful." Gandhi concluded by saying, "Modi ji, do whatever you deem appropriate for your friends Anil Ambani, Adani, and yourself. I and the Congress party's lions will continue to protect the country — we will not retreat an inch."
The allegations, particularly regarding any mention of PM Modi in Epstein-related documents, remain unverified and have been part of opposition attacks in recent months. The Prime Minister's Office has not issued a direct response to the latest claims. The BJP has previously dismissed similar accusations as baseless and politically motivated, labeling Gandhi a "perennial liar" and insisting that no credible evidence links the PM to the Epstein files.
This verbal salvo highlights the intensifying political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with trade policies, corporate ties, and international controversies emerging as key battlegrounds ahead of ongoing parliamentary sessions and future electoral contests.
The full video message from Rahul Gandhi circulated widely on social media, amplifying the debate on national interests versus alleged cronyism.
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