A Digvijaya Singh Row, BJP’s Dig At Rahul Gandhi, Then A Clarification
Senior Congress MP Digvijaya Singh triggered a fresh political controversy on December 27, 2025, after posting a throwback photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praising the organisational strength of the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS.
Digvijaya Singh, a veteran leader from Madhya Pradesh and former Chief Minister, shared a black and white photo from the 1990s, showing a young Narendra Modi seated at an event attended by senior BJP leader LK Advani. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Singh highlighted the rise of grassroots workers within the BJP-RSS ecosystem, saying it demonstrated “the power of the organisation.”
His comment, unusual coming from one of the Congress’s most outspoken critics of the BJP and RSS over the years, quickly drew attention and criticism from political circles.
BJP Seizes the Moment: A Political Dig at Rahul Gandhi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted little time in using Singh’s remarks to attack the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan framed Singh’s post as a reflection of internal discontent in the Congress, arguing that it exposed the party as “autocratic and undemocratic.”
In an X post, Kesavan urged Gandhi to respond to the “truth bomb” reportedly dropped by Singh, suggesting that even senior Congress figures acknowledged the organisational superiority of the BJP-RSS structure.
The BJP’s swift reaction was politically calculated. By framing Singh’s praise as an indictment of Congress’s internal functioning, the party aimed to widen internal fissures and sow dissent about the leadership style of Gandhi and his allies.
Singh’s Clarification: Opposition to BJP and RSS Still Intact
As the controversy snowballed, Digvijaya Singh sought to clarify his statement, insisting that he was merely referring to organisational strength and did not intend to endorse the BJP or RSS ideologically.
He reiterated that he remains a staunch opponent of both the BJP and RSS, emphasising his consistent criticism of their policies in the past and present. This was an attempt to stem criticism from within the Congress and reassure supporters that he had not switched political allegiances.
This clarification came amid reports that Singh’s remarks were seen internally as a subtle call for introspection within the Congress, especially concerning its organisational model and approach to political mobilisation.
Context: Singh’s Broader Political Messaging and Internal Congress Dynamics
The timing of Singh’s comments was significant. Just a week prior, he had publicly urged for internal reforms within the Congress party, pressing for a more decentralised and practical organisational approach under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
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In his earlier post, Singh had stated that while Gandhi deserves praise for socio-economic messaging, the Indian National Congress still needs pragmatic organisational reform akin to its political rivals.
Political analysts view Singh’s post and follow-up clarification as part of a broader intra-party dialogue and dissent, reflecting ongoing discussions about how the Congress can rejuvenate itself ahead of future electoral battles.
Reaction Across the Political Spectrum
The incident has sparked reactions beyond just the BJP and Congress. Other political commentators and rival parties seized the narrative to highlight ongoing questions about organisational strength, party discipline, and leadership credibility across India’s major political outfits.
The row also underscores how a single social media post by a senior leader can be quickly amplified and repurposed in India’s sensitive political environment — where narratives around strength, allegiance, and internal unity are constantly contested.
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What This Means for Indian Politics Ahead
Digvijaya Singh’s controversial praise and the ensuing political fallout illuminate several broader trends:
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Political optics matter: Even neutral or complimentary comments can be reframed in highly polarised environments.
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Internal party debates spill into public view: The Congress’s internal discussions on reform and organisational strategy are now playing out on national platforms.
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BJP’s strategic messaging: The BJP continues to emphasise organisational efficiency and critique rivals on governance and leadership models.
The controversy reflects deeper dynamics as political parties prepare for upcoming electoral contests, with leadership, organisational strength, and public perception all at the forefront.