Opposition Allies Join BJP in Questioning Rahul Gandhi’s Parliament Absence

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday intensified its criticism of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his foreign travels, questioning why he frequently embarks on what it described as “secret trips” abroad. BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha alleged that Gandhi rarely discloses the details of either his official or unofficial travels, asking what the Congress leader was trying to “hide from the country.”

Speaking at a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Sinha mocked the Congress MP as a “Leader of Tourism” rather than a leader of the nation. The renewed attack comes just days before Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to leave on a six-day visit to Germany. Sinha also accused the Congress leader of skipping important national engagements in favour of foreign trips.

The criticism did not come solely from the ruling party. Even alliance partners of the opposition INDIA bloc — including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) — joined the chorus of questions over Gandhi’s absence from Parliament during the Winter Session.

AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar, posting on X, asked why Gandhi needed to be physically present in Germany when he could have used a virtual platform.
“Instead of skipping the entire Winter Session, could he not have used Google Meet to speak to his NRI Congress coordinators? Was this sudden absence a conscious political choice?” she wrote.

The Samajwadi Party also expressed displeasure at the Congress leader’s absence.
“Parliament is in session, and Rahul ji seems more concerned about foreign visits. The entire country knows how invested he is in domestic politics,” SP leaders remarked sarcastically.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Germany from December 15 to 20 for interactions with the Indian diaspora and meetings with German ministers, according to the Indian Overseas Congress. His trip coincides with a crucial phase of the Winter Session, during which 13 key bills have been listed for debate and passage.

Responding to the BJP’s criticism, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra countered sharply, asking why questions were being raised about the Opposition leader’s travel when Prime Minister Narendra Modi “spends nearly half his time abroad.” She argued that those criticising Rahul Gandhi should first examine the prime minister’s own foreign travel record.