'Nautanki, traitors': Rahul Gandhi charges at PM Modi, Amit Shah over economy, 'Melody' moment; BJP hits back

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi charged at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah calling them "traitors" and slamming the "Melodi" act as "nautanki (drama)". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at the Congress leader calling the remark "regrettable" and something which "exposed his anarchic and divisive mindset."As PM Modi is on the last leg of visit to Italy, his act of gifiting Melodi toffees to Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni became the center of target as Rahul pointed out that "economic storm is brewing over our heads, and our Prime Minister is out in Italy handing out sweets!"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's five-nation tour has come under attack by the opposition as it came after his appeal to the people to save fuel and restrict foreign travels amid the Middle East crisis.Speaking at a rally in UP's Rae Bareli, Rahul alleged that the BJP had insulted freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar. He also reiterated that the Modi government’s policies had damaged India’s economy. Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were “traitors” who had worked to “sell India”.BJP president Natin Nabin termed Rahul’s statement “regrettable” and said his continuous electoral defeats and the resulting frustration were now manifesting in his temperament and character."What would you call a person who attacks and destroys the Constitution? You would call him a traitor. That is why I have openly stated that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are attacking the Constitution. They have handed over the nation's assets to Adani and Ambani, dismantled the country's institutions, and aided in the theft of votes," Rahul said."Members of the RSS, take note: You demanded that I apologize, but I will never apologize. I reiterate once again that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are traitors because they have attacked the Constitution. I am not afraid of you," he added.The Congress leader also accused the Union government of weakening MGNREGA, privatising the public sector, and appointing RSS-linked vice-chancellors who, he alleged, had little knowledge of science, history or geography, but were chosen because of their ideological affiliation.Rahul further alleged that the Constitution’s principle of “one person, one vote” was being undermined through special intensive revision of electoral rolls and the deletion of “crores of votes”.“Those who do not vote for them are being removed from voter lists… The Constitution is under attack 24 hours,” he said.“But the truth is now emerging and no one will be spared,” he added.Earlier, in a post on X, he had targeted the 'Melodi' post saying: "An economic storm is brewing over our heads, and our Prime Minister is out in Italy handing out sweets! Farmers, youth, women, workers, and small traders are all in tears - the PM is laughing and filming Reels, while the BJP lot are clapping along. This isn't leadership, it's a farce."BJP chief Nitin Nabin said his continuous electoral defeats and the resulting frustration were now manifesting in his temperament and character."Rahul Gandhi's statement today against the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, is extremely regrettable, as it exposes his anarchic and divisive mindset. In Indian politics, where there has been a tradition of integrity and mutual respect, such undignified language is entirely unacceptable. The frustration and despair arising from repeated electoral defeats are now clearly evident in his statements," he said."While Rahul Gandhi's ancestors had mortgaged the country's land and conscience, today, under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the country's land has been secured and the confidence of its citizens has also been strengthened," he added. Reacting to Rahul's "nautanki" remark, Union minister Piyush Goyal questioned "why does Rahul Gandhi hate India and everything made in India so much?""Why does Rahul Gandhi hate India and everything made in India so much? India has today become the world’s Trusted Destination through Made in India and Local Goes Global, but the Congress sees a problem in every Indian achievement. The global respect, investment, and trust that the country waited decades for, under the leadership of Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji, India is achieving today, and that Rahul Gandhi cannot tolerate," he said in a post on X.BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the words used by Rahul "showed his upbringing"."The kind of words used by Rahul Gandhi for PM Narendra Modi show his upbringing. The Congress always use bad words for him… They have repeatedly insulted the PM just because our PM belongs to the OBC community. This just shows their mindset. As far as there is this topic of betrayal, Rahul Gandhi should first look at his own family,” he said.