Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra hits back at Rahul Gandhi over 'idiot' remarks
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra turned Rahul Gandhi’s reported ‘idiot’ remark back on the Congress leader, arguing that 550 million NDA voters — 38 per cent of the electorate — have already delivered their own verdict on who the real ‘idiot’ is. The exchange sharpens a parliamentary row that shows no sign of cooling.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP president B.
Vijayendra on 29 July attacked Rahul Gandhi over his reported ‘idiot/blind followers’ remarks in Parliament.
Vijayendra asked whether Gandhi’s comments targeted the 38 per cent of voters — nearly 550 million people — who voted for the NDA in the last Lok Sabha elections.
He drew a contrast between PM Modi bowing before Parliament and Gandhi ‘insulting’ Indians after electoral defeats.
Vijayendra alleged Gandhi has a pattern of criticising India on foreign soil and apologising in courts over unproven allegations.
The BJP also questioned Gandhi’s credibility in attacking Home Minister Amit Shah , citing repeated electoral losses.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president B. Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday, 29 July launched a sharp counter-attack on Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his reported remarks in Parliament, accusing the Congress leader of insulting millions of Indians and questioning his “moral authority” to critique the ruling dispensation.
What Vijayendra Said
Vijayendra directly responded to Gandhi’s reported characterisation of the country’s population as comprising only two groups — “students” and “idiots/blind followers” — asking whether those comments were aimed at the nearly 38 per cent of voters who backed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the last Lok Sabha elections.
“Does this mean that the 38 per cent of Indians, amounting to nearly 550 million people, who exercised their democratic right and voted for the NDA government are ‘idiots’ and ‘blind followers’?” Vijayendra asked.
He further stated: “If insulting both the leadership that has won a decisive mandate three times and the citizens who voted for it is considered politics, then the people of India have already decided who the real ‘idiot’ is.”
Modi vs Gandhi: The Contrast Drawn
Vijayendra drew a pointed contrast between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gandhi, noting that Modi had bowed before the steps of Parliament upon entering what he called the “temple of democracy,” while Gandhi had, according to him, chosen to publicly criticise crores of Indians following electoral setbacks.
“On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects to Parliament by bowing before its steps. On the other, Rahul Gandhi, who could not secure the people’s mandate in his favour, has returned to publicly insult millions of Indians,” Vijayendra said.
Broader Allegations Against Gandhi
The Karnataka BJP chief went further, alleging that Gandhi had a pattern of criticising India on foreign soil, politicising institutions ranging from the armed forces to cultural platforms, and subsequently seeking apologies in courts over what Vijayendra called “unsubstantiated allegations.”
“It is time to question his morality. Criticising one’s own country while standing on foreign soil, finding politics in everything from the armed forces to cultural institutions, and apologising before courts for unproven allegations: whose political style is this?” he asked.
Vijayendra also challenged Gandhi’s credibility in attacking Union Home Minister Amit Shah, arguing that a leader who had faced repeated electoral defeats lacked the standing to question a government that had received a clear public mandate.
Political Context
The remarks come amid an intensifying political row over Gandhi’s reported comments in Parliament, which have drawn strong reactions from across the NDA. The Congress has faced repeated electoral setbacks over the past 12 years, according to Vijayendra, who cited this record as evidence of the party’s diminishing public support. The BJP’s response signals that the ruling alliance intends to press the issue as a political liability for the opposition heading into the next legislative session.
Point of View
However, depends on whether the Congress provides fresh material — and on current form, the opposition appears willing to oblige.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rahul Gandhi reportedly say that triggered the BJP’s response?
Gandhi reportedly told Parliament that the country comprised only two categories of people — ‘students’ and ‘idiots/blind followers’ (andhbhakts). The BJP interpreted this as an insult directed at NDA voters and responded sharply.
Who is B. Y. Vijayendra and why did he respond?
B. Y. Vijayendra is the president of the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the state party chief, he issued the counter-attack as part of the broader NDA pushback against Gandhi’s reported parliamentary remarks.
How many voters did Vijayendra say Gandhi had insulted?
Vijayendra cited nearly 38 per cent of the electorate — approximately 550 million people — who voted for the NDA in the last Lok Sabha elections, arguing Gandhi’s remarks amounted to calling all of them ‘idiots’.
What broader allegations did Vijayendra make against Gandhi?
Beyond the ‘idiot’ remark, Vijayendra alleged that Gandhi has repeatedly criticised India on foreign soil, politicised institutions including the armed forces, and sought court apologies over what he called unsubstantiated allegations.
What is the political significance of this row?
The exchange reflects an ongoing pattern of sharp parliamentary confrontation between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition. The BJP appears to be using Gandhi’s reported remarks to reinforce its long-standing narrative that the Congress leader is dismissive of ordinary Indian voters.
