‘Rafales Have Chilli, Lemon Hanging’: Ajay Rai Mocks Modi Govt, BJP Slams 'Pakistani Congress' — WATCH
Ajay Rai, UP Congress President, criticised the Modi government for 'inaction' despite high rhetoric following the terror attack in Pahalgam. He displayed a toy Rafale plane with lemon and chillies drawing the BJP's ire.
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the central government over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, accusing it of inaction despite high rhetoric. Referring to the government’s acquisition of Rafale fighter jets, Rai alleged that the aircraft remain unused while the nation grapples with increased terrorist activity.
Speaking to the media while displaying a toy Rafale plane adorned with “nimbu mirchi” (lemon and chillies) — traditionally believed to ward off the evil eye — Rai said, “Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. But this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists — they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?”
#WATCH | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai shows a 'toy plane' with Rafale written on it and lemon-chillies hanging in it.
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025
Ajay Rai says, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the… pic.twitter.com/wIwLsa4akD
BJP Says Congress Leaders Are ‘Disloyal To India’
Rai’s remarks triggered strong condemnation from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. BJP leader CR Kesavan termed the Congress leader’s actions “reprehensible” and accused him of attempting to demoralise the armed forces.
“The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party’s sinister ploy will not be successful,” Kesavan told news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Chennai | On Ajay Rai, BJP leader CR Kesavan says, "The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP… https://t.co/blgLpvzqSC pic.twitter.com/Rggk8rlW0G
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also reacted sharply on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “Rahul Gandhi’s close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congress and the spokesperson of Asif Munir’s Pakistan in India!”
Disgraceful!
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) May 4, 2025
Rahul Gandhi's Close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces!
Congress today has become the Pakistani Congresss and the Spokesperson of Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!#PehalgamTerroristAttack https://t.co/MLvqYhHHMm pic.twitter.com/ecDf15EB6B
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Rai saying, "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of Rahul Gandhi's closest leaders. In the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi says that they stand with the country and armed forces. As soon as he comes out of the all-party meeting, prioritising 'vote bank neeti' over 'rashtra neeti', they gave clean chit to Pakistan, advocated for it and dealt a blow to the morale of armed forces."
"Why is a continuous attack being made on the morale of armed forces?...Congress party is not taking action because Pakistan ko kehna bhaijaan, sena ka karna apman, ye Congress ki bann chuki hai pehchan, Pakistan aur Congress do shareer aur bole ek hi zubaan (Congress party is not taking action because Pakistan is their dear brother while the army is being insulted, and this Congress's identity is that it is a partner to Pakistan and speaks their language)," he told ANI.
#WATCH | On UP Congress chief Ajay Rai's statement, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of… https://t.co/blgLpvyT34 pic.twitter.com/JLOlQMp5fp
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025
The terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead. The government has reiterated its commitment to eliminating terrorism and has assured that those responsible, including the conspirators, will face strict punishment.
Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government convened an all-party meeting where the Opposition extended full support to any action taken against the perpetrators. The Cabinet Committee on Security was also briefed on the cross-border linkages of the attack, which came in the backdrop of the successful conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the region’s gradual economic progress.
In a move seen as a stern signal to Pakistan, the government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, highlighting its resolve to combat cross-border terrorism.
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