Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal on Wednesday, 4 November levelled sharp allegations against the Indian National Congress, claiming the party has consistently aligned itself with separatist elements and forces seeking to divide the country. Khandelwal, who represents the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency in New Delhi, made the remarks amid a broader political exchange over nationalism and opposition conduct.

Allegations Against Congress

Speaking to reporters, Khandelwal said, “We all know that the Congress has always been seen standing with separatist elements. Congress leaders who are lawyers represent terrorists in the Supreme Court. Similarly, whenever there is an attempt to divide the country, Congress leaders are invariably seen standing with those forces.”

He also trained his sights on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that Gandhi’s repeated foreign visits lack transparency. “Rahul Gandhi makes one foreign visit after another, but the country is never informed about whom he meets or which anti-national forces he engages with,” Khandelwal said. The BJP has previously raised similar questions about Gandhi’s overseas trips, making this part of a recurring political narrative from the ruling party.

Appeal to Support Delhi Traders

Beyond the political attacks, Khandelwal used the occasion to appeal to BJP workers and residents of Delhi — especially in his Chandni Chowk constituency — to patronise local traders and small businesses. He said Delhi’s traders had suffered significant losses over the past month due to protests in the city.

“I have appealed to all BJP workers, as well as consumers across Delhi, including my Lok Sabha constituency of Chandni Chowk, to support local traders. Delhi’s traders have suffered significant losses over the past month due to protests. I have urged BJP workers to visit local markets in large numbers and buy goods from small traders, artisans and local manufacturers,” he said.

CRPF's Historic 12-Month Zero-Fatality Milestone

Khandelwal also welcomed a landmark achievement by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): the force has completed 12 consecutive months without recording a single operational fatality — a milestone not achieved in 47 years. CRPF Director General GP Singh confirmed that the last operational fatality was recorded on 30 October 2025, and that the previous comparable period without such a loss dated back to before January 1979.

Khandelwal credited the achievement to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “This has been possible due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clear guidance and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s decisive working style. For the first time, not a single CRPF personnel was injured throughout the year. During this period, Naxalism was eliminated, and the CRPF also had to deal with several protests and demonstrations,” he said.

Political Context

The BJP’s allegations against Congress over ties to separatist forces are not new; similar charges have been levelled during debates over cases involving accused individuals and high-profile terror trials in the Supreme Court. Critics from the opposition, however, argue that legal representation in a court of law is a constitutional right and does not imply ideological alignment. The timing of Khandelwal’s remarks — coinciding with the CRPF milestone announcement — underscores the BJP’s dual messaging on national security: highlighting government achievements while questioning the opposition’s nationalist credentials.

With the Delhi Assembly elections on the horizon, such political volleys are likely to intensify as parties compete to define the security and nationalism narrative in the capital.