NEW DELHI: An Italian politician’s use of the slogan ‘vote chor, gaddi chhod’, popularised by Rahul Gandhi, at the Congress-organised Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad has drawn criticism from the BJP. The latter has accused Congress of allowing foreign political representatives to “comment on India’s internal affairs”.Filibeck, secretary general of the Party of European Socialists (PES), was speaking at the event when he expressed support for Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. He said democracy was “under attack” in India and called for international support to defend it.“I believe that this kind of gatherings, conference, summit are vital to raise international attention on concerning challenges. Democracy is under attack in India, and we need to defend it, and the best way to defend it is to stand by Rahul Gandhi and the Indian Congress Party,” ANI quoted him as saying.Filibeck also said the PES, Congress and other political movements across the world were part of a progressive alliance committed to social justice, climate justice, human rights and democracy.“True democracy. Not the corrupted one, not the rigged one, not the fake one,” he said.
What BJP said
The remarks drew criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the Congress of providing a platform for foreign political representatives to intervene in India’s domestic politics.BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a post on X, called the gathering an “Anti-Bharat Summit” and questioned why an Italian political leader was commenting on India’s internal affairs.
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“Congress govt under Revanth Reddy gave foreign political representatives the stage to interfere in our domestic politics & Rahul Gandhi is shamelessly laughing. This is his hatred towards our country,” he said.He added, “India’s democracy belongs to 140 crore Indians. Congress has no mandate to turn a summit on Indian soil into a platform for foreign political interference.”BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also targeted Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader was seeking foreign support to remove the Narendra Modi government.In a post on X, Bhandari said, “Rahul Gandhi has become puppet of foreign powers & George Soros wanting instability in India!” He further alleged that the Congress leader was seeking “Regime Change with Foreign help!”The Bharat Summit 2026 has brought together around 1,000 delegates, policymakers and thinkers from 70 countries. The discussions cover geopolitics, democracy, climate change, artificial intelligence and progressive politics.
