Congress MP Kumari Selja Defends Rahul Gandhi, Blames PM Modi for Taking Politics Abroad

Congress general secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Monday defended Rahul Gandhi after the BJP labeled him a “traitor” for his remarks on the Election Commission during a public event in the United States.

Hitting back at the BJP, Selja accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of setting the precedent for discussing domestic politics on foreign platforms.

“It’s the BJP’s trademark tactic. Let’s not forget—it was the Prime Minister who first aired India’s internal political matters abroad, often targeting the opposition,” she told reporters.

Responding to the BJP’s sharp criticism of Gandhi, who currently serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Selja said, “This is a classic case of ‘Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Daante’ (the pot calling the kettle black).”

Defending Gandhi’s comments, she said, “Rahulji has only spoken truths that are already public knowledge. The real disrespect to the nation happens when the Constitution is undermined.”

She further accused the BJP of misusing central agencies for political gain and manipulating constitutional institutions for its own agenda.

Rahul Gandhi, currently on a U.S. visit, sparked controversy by claiming that India’s Election Commission has been “compromised” and alleging irregularities in voter turnout data during the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

His comments triggered strong reactions from the BJP. Earlier in the day, party spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed Gandhi, accusing him of attacking the EC out of frustration over the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) probe in the National Herald case.

“Your anger toward the ED cannot justify your baseless allegations against the Election Commission. The National Herald case is built on solid evidence,” Patra said during a press conference in Delhi.

The political row continues to escalate as both parties trade barbs over the boundaries of dissent and the ethics of airing domestic grievances on global platforms.