Rahul Gandhi’s Pune event a political comedy show: BJP; Congress hits back

On the day Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark on girls using abusive language during the Jantar Mantar protest, the BJP labeled his event in Pune as a "political comedy show". In response, the Congress argued that Gandhi's appeal to the youth has rattled the ruling party. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticized Gandhi and the Congress for their double standards, pointing out that despite Gandhi's public statements on women empowerment, he and his party had opposed the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.

Fadnavis stated, "Rahul Gandhi makes big statements about women empowerment on stage. But when it came to passing the Women's Reservation Bill, he and his party staunchly opposed it. This shows the double standard of Rahul Gandhi and Congress."

At the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune, Gandhi commented that while both boys and girls used abusive language during the protest, the PM felt a cultural shock due to girls using such language. Maharashtra BJP media cell spokesperson Navnath Ban challenged Congress to name party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the party chief. BJP Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhye dismissed Gandhi's event as another "political comedy show" and claimed that it did not address genuine student concerns.

Congress Maharashtra chief Harshwardhan Sapkal retaliated, stating that the BJP has sensed the ground slipping under its feet and that its attempts to hold on through a communal agenda will backfire. Congress national secretary Sachin Sawant claimed that the BJP had lost sleep over the unprecedented response to Gandhi's interaction.