Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, calling him the "most rejected maal" in Indian politics. The remarks came in response to Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to cut fuel use, avoid gold purchases, and postpone foreign travel amid global economic pressures.

What Fadnavis Said

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on 11 May, Fadnavis said, "Rahul Gandhi is the most 'rejected maal' in Indian politics. Rejected by all, rejected always, and rejected in every state... The country stands with PM Modi; the country stands behind PM Modi. The country repeatedly blesses PM Modi."

The remarks were a direct rebuttal to Gandhi's public criticism of the Prime Minister's economic appeal, which the Congress leader had posted on social media platform X.

Rahul Gandhi's Criticism of PM Modi

Gandhi, in his post on X, said, "Yesterday, Modi Ji called upon the public to make sacrifices—do not buy gold, do not travel abroad, consume less petrol, cut down on fertilisers and cooking oil, take the Metro, and work from home. These are not words of counsel; they are evidence of failure."

He further argued that over 12 years, the country had been brought to a state where the public must be told what to buy and where to go. "Time and again, they shift the responsibility onto the public simply to evade their own accountability. Running the country is no longer within the capability of a 'Compromised PM'," Gandhi said.

PM Modi's Economic Patriotism Appeal

The political exchange was triggered by PM Modi's address at a BJP rally in Hyderabad on Sunday, where he urged citizens to avoid buying gold for a year and postpone foreign travel to conserve foreign exchange. "We have to save foreign exchange by any means," the Prime Minister said.

Modi framed the appeal as part of a broader push for "economic patriotism", encompassing reduced fuel consumption, greater use of public transport, work-from-home arrangements, natural farming, and support for swadeshi products. The appeal comes amid rising energy prices, West Asia conflict, and supply-chain disruptions placing pressure on import-dependent economies like India.

Political Context

The sharp exchange reflects the deepening political divide over India's economic management at a time of global uncertainty. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has consistently sought to position Modi as a unifying national figure, while the Indian National Congress (INC) has used economic indicators to challenge the government's record. This is not the first time Fadnavis has targeted Gandhi with pointed language — the Maharashtra CM has been among the BJP's most vocal critics of the Congress leader.

With global energy markets remaining volatile and foreign exchange conservation emerging as a stated policy priority, the political debate over who bears responsibility for economic hardship is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.