AAP calls Congress-BJP dharna a 'jugalbandi' as Rahul Gandhi protests near PM's home
Synopsis
AAP's Atishi pointed out a glaring contradiction: Sonam Wangchuk's month-long hunger strike got no government response, yet the Modi-led Centre opened talks with Rahul Gandhi within an hour of his dharna outside the PM's residence. For AAP, the speed of that dialogue is itself the story — and the evidence for a 'jugalbandi.'
Key Takeaways
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge , Rahul Gandhi , and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra staged a sit-in dharna at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on 21 July over paper leaks and police action on students.
MoS (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh reached the protest site within an hour to hold talks with Congress leaders.
AAP's Atishi contrasted this with Sonam Wangchuk's nearly month-long hunger strike, which reportedly drew no government dialogue.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Congress and BJP of colluding to weaken the CJP 's ongoing agitation.
Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignations of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the government's treatment of protesting students.
The protest followed the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march and an SP foot march to Jantar Mantar, both centred on paper leak accountability.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday, 21 July sharply criticised Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over a sit-in protest staged near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, describing the episode as a 'jugalbandi' — a coordinated duet — between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre and the Congress. The protest, led by senior Congress leaders, was held over allegations of paper leaks and a police crackdown on students.
The Congress Protest at PM's Residence
Top Congress leadership, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged the sit-in dharna at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, reached the protest site to hold talks and address their stated grievances around paper leaks and the government's handling of protesting students.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said: 'We have marched to PM Modi's house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday.' He further added: 'The Government doesn't want to take any accountability, or does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament? PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India's youth,' demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
AAP's Broadside: One Hour vs One Month
AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi drew a pointed contrast between the government's response to the Congress dharna and its treatment of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose nearly month-long hunger strike at Jantar Mantar reportedly failed to secure any government dialogue.
Posting on X, Atishi said: 'This is amazing! CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) and Sonam Wangchuk: One-month protest at Jantar Mantar. Modi govt refuses to talk to them. Rahul Gandhi: Allowed to protest outside PM residence.' She added: 'In one hour, PM Modi-led govt starts dialogue. What a Jugalbandi!'
AAP MP Sanjay Singh Weighs In
AAP MP Sanjay Singh echoed the charge, accusing both the Congress and the BJP of colluding to undermine the agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). In a post on X, Singh said: 'To weaken the CJP's dharna, Modi ji has seated Rahul Gandhi on a dharna at his residence.'
The allegation reflects a broader AAP strategy of positioning itself as distinct from both the ruling BJP and the principal opposition Congress — particularly on issues of student welfare and government accountability.
The Wider Protest Context
The Congress march to the PM's residence came a day after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) conducted its 'Chalo Sansad' protest, and Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs undertook a foot march from Parliament to Jantar Mantar, both demanding government accountability on paper leaks. The convergence of multiple opposition groups around the same issue signals growing political pressure on the Centre, even as questions persist about coordination — or the lack of it — among opposition factions.
With Parliament in session and student protests simmering, how the government handles accountability demands over paper leaks could shape the opposition's unity calculus in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
More plainly, is the government's selective responsiveness: a month of Wangchuk's hunger strike drew silence, while a high-profile opposition dharna at the PM's doorstep triggered near-instant dialogue. That asymmetry is the real accountability question. Whether AAP's broadside lands depends on whether voters read it as principled critique or as a party protecting its own opposition turf ahead of Delhi elections.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the AAP call the Congress protest a 'jugalbandi' with the BJP?
AAP used the term 'jugalbandi' — meaning a coordinated duet — to allege that the BJP-led Centre and the Congress were acting in concert. The party pointed to the fact that the Modi government initiated talks with Congress leaders within an hour of their dharna near the PM's residence, contrasting this with its refusal to engage with Sonam Wangchuk's month-long hunger strike.
What were Congress leaders protesting about on 21 July?
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra staged a sit-in at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg to demand accountability over paper leaks and the government's crackdown on protesting students. Rahul Gandhi also called for the resignations of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Who represented the government at the Congress protest site?
Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, reached the protest site at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg to hold talks with Congress leaders and address their grievances.
What did AAP's Atishi say about Sonam Wangchuk in this context?
Atishi drew a sharp contrast on X, noting that Sonam Wangchuk's nearly month-long hunger strike at Jantar Mantar failed to secure any government dialogue, while Rahul Gandhi's dharna outside the PM's residence prompted talks within an hour.
What other protests were taking place around the same time?
A day before the Congress dharna, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held a 'Chalo Sansad' march and Samajwadi Party MPs undertook a foot march from Parliament to Jantar Mantar, both demanding government accountability on paper leaks.
