Rijiju Lists Seven Conditions for Congress, Escalates War of Words with Rahul Gandhi

The political temperature in New Delhi hit a new high on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, as Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a scathing critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Responding to persistent demands from the Opposition for an open debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister offered a mocking set of “conditions” that he claimed the Congress party must fulfill if it hopes to increase its parliamentary representation.

A Seven-Point Rebuttal

Taking to social media platform X, Mr. Rijiju outlined seven specific criteria for Mr. Gandhi, framing them as a roadmap for the Congress to regain political relevance. The Minister’s list touched on sensitive issues ranging from the Congress leader’s frequent foreign travels to the internal structure of the party.

Rijiju urged Mr. Gandhi to reduce his time spent on “secret foreign vacations” and instead prioritize his presence in India. He further advised the Congress leader to cultivate a more respectful attitude toward senior party figures, arguing that leaning on the wisdom of elders is a core component of Indian tradition.

Perhaps most provocatively, the Union Minister called on Mr. Gandhi to “end his deep-seated hatred” for the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Modi, suggesting that the Congress should treat the BJP as a legitimate political rival rather than a perceived enemy. He also demanded that the Opposition stop engaging with “anti-India elements” and cease promoting agendas that he claimed were harmful to the national interest.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions

The final points of Rijiju’s list addressed the functioning of the Parliament and the internal democracy of the Congress itself. The Minister insisted that Mr. Gandhi must treat parliamentary proceedings with greater seriousness, facilitate active participation from Congress MPs in debates, and honor constitutional institutions. He also made a pointed call to move away from dynastic politics, urging the party to function as a truly democratic entity.

This rhetorical offensive comes in the wake of continued disruptions in the legislature. Earlier, Mr. Rijiju had shared footage from his parliamentary speeches, questioning the credibility of Opposition leaders who demand debates while frequently choosing to walk out of the House. “Parliament is a space for discourse,” Rijiju remarked. “Those who do not believe in the foundations of democracy are the ones now clamoring for a debate.”

The Escalating ‘Anti-National’ Row

The friction stems from Mr. Gandhi’s recent, bold challenge to the Prime Minister. On Wednesday, the Congress leader once again dared Mr. Modi to a public debate, asserting that he could prove the Prime Minister’s policies have betrayed national interests within minutes. This challenge was met with swift rebukes from several senior BJP leaders, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge joined the fray, defending his colleague by attacking the Prime Minister over allegations of “vote theft.” When the Prime Minister dismissed these claims by labeling critics as “Dimaagi Naxals” (Intellectual Naxals), Mr. Rijiju doubled down. He defined the term not as a political narrative, but as a descriptor for those who allegedly support Maoist agendas, challenge the Constitution, or conspire to undermine India’s sovereignty in sensitive regions.

As both sides continue to trade barbs over national loyalty and political ethics, the discourse suggests a deepening divide, with neither the ruling coalition nor the opposition showing signs of easing their confrontational stance.

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