New Delhi [India] : The political row over Congress’s ‘Gayab’ jibe aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi has escalated, with BJP leaders sharply criticising the opposition party and alleging dangerous associations with terrorist organisations.
The controversy began after the Congress party posted an image on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing a kurta pyjama and black footwear with the word “GAYAB” (missing) and the caption “Jimmedariyo ke Samay – Gayab” (Missing during times of responsibility). BJP MP Nishikant Dubey responded fiercely, accusing the Congress of attempting to metaphorically “separate the head and body” of PM Modi and questioning its alleged ties with extremist outfit “Ghazwa-e-Hind.”
Dubey posted a screenshot juxtaposing the Congress’s post with one allegedly made by “Ghazwa al-Hind”, featuring religious slogans over the ruins of a Hindu temple. “Congress has been trying to separate the head and body of Honourable Prime Minister Modi for years… Now, the Congress party, tell us what your relation with the terrorist organisation Ghazwa al-Hind is? Is the same person tweeting on both?” Dubey wrote on X.
Haryana Minister Anil Vij also condemned the Congress’s tweet, labelling it “highly objectionable” and hurtful to the sentiments of Indians. “This is the time to stand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Every Indian should pledge that we are with him,” Vij added.
The Congress party had posted the tweet following PM Modi’s absence at an all-party meeting convened after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Adding to the controversy, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged foreign coordination behind Congress’s actions. Speaking to ANI, Bhandari claimed that a former Pakistani minister had quote-tweeted the Congress post, implying collusion. “The same tweet of the Congress party was quote-tweeted by the former minister of Pakistan. It has become clear that there is a ‘jugalbandi’ between Congress and the deep state of Pakistan,” Bhandari said.
He further reaffirmed that under PM Modi’s leadership, India will respond with strength to any threats posed by Pakistan in the wake of recent terror incidents.