“Gangsta” Moment Or “Immaturity”? Rahul Gandhi’s Cheeky Run-In With Union Ministers Sparks Row

NEW DELHI — In a session already defined by high-decibel clashes and “wholesale surrender” allegations, a rare moment of levity—or lack thereof, depending on who you ask—took place in the Parliament compound on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Ashwini Vaishnaw were in the middle of a press briefing, criticizing the Leader of Opposition’s (LoP) recent floor speech, when Rahul Gandhi himself walked into the frame. Carrying a “cheeky smile” and with his hands in his cargo pockets, Gandhi attempted to grab Joshi’s arm, jokingly suggesting, “Come, let’s do it together,” implying a joint address to the media. The two ministers quickly “scampered away,” refusing to engage.

1. The Viral Fallout: “Gangsta” vs. “Immature”

The 15-second clip has since become a battlefield for digital narratives.

• The Congress Spin: Official party handles shared edited versions of the clip set to Punjabi upbeat music, tagging it as a “gangsta moment” to portray Gandhi as a fearless leader unafraid of his detractors.
• The BJP Pushback: Treasury bench supporters and ministers labeled the behavior “immature” and “unbecoming” of a Leader of Opposition. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju noted that such antics do not substitute for “authenticated facts” regarding the serious allegations Gandhi leveled inside the House.

2. Why the Tension is at a Boiling Point

This “cheeky infiltration” happened against the backdrop of an exceptionally hostile Parliament session. Two major flashpoints have paralyzed proceedings:

• The “Four Stars of Destiny” Row: Gandhi has repeatedly tried to quote from former Army Chief Gen MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir. He alleges the book reveals PM Modi failed to provide clear directions during the 2020 China standoff. The government has blocked these references under Rule 349, and Delhi Police recently filed an FIR over the digital circulation of the unpublished manuscript.
• The India-US Trade “Sell-Out”: During the Budget debate, Gandhi accused the government of a “wholesale surrender” to the US. He suggested that US President Donald Trump has “something” on PM Modi, forcing India to compromise its energy security and farmers’ interests.

3. Constitutional Crisis: No-Confidence Against the Speaker

The standoff has reached a formal breaking point. On February 10, 120 Opposition MPs submitted a No-Confidence Motion against Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of:

• Being “blatantly partisan” by denying the LoP a chance to speak.
• Failing to act against BJP MPs making personal attacks.
• Suspending eight Opposition members during the session.

In a rare move, Speaker Om Birla has decided to skip presiding over the House on “moral grounds” until the notice is resolved, which is expected to be taken up in the second phase of the session starting March 9.

4. Key Parliamentary Metrics: Budget Session 2026