Rijiju Takes a Dig at Rahul, Gives Priyanka a Backhanded Compliment
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on 29 July 2026 posted a barbed remark saying Priyanka Gandhi 'stole' Rahul Gandhi's speech — but delivered it more effectively, turning a Congress address into a pointed dig at the opposition leader's oratory.
Key Takeaways
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju posted the remark on 29 July 2026 .
Rijiju accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of 'stealing' Rahul Gandhi 's speech.
He simultaneously praised Priyanka, saying she 'spoke much better than Rahul Gandhi Ji.' The post is part of a consistent BJP pattern of using social media to comment on Congress leaders' public performances.
The specific speech or occasion referenced has not been independently verified.
In a sharp piece of political theatre, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju turned a Congress speech into fodder for inter-family rivalry on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 — suggesting that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had effectively outshone her brother Rahul Gandhi by borrowing his material.
Posting in his signature mix of Hindi and English, Rijiju wrote: 'Priyanka Ji ne Rahul Ji ka bhashan chura liya hai!!' — 'Priyanka Ji has stolen Rahul Ji's speech!!' — before pivoting to a pointed compliment: 'But honestly Priyanka Ji spoke much better than Rahul Gandhi Ji.'
The remark does double duty. On the surface it praises Priyanka. Beneath it, the sting lands squarely on Rahul — the implication being that the same content, delivered by a different Gandhi, simply works better.
BJP ministers routinely use social media to comment on Congress leaders' public performances, framing parliamentary or rally addresses as moments of political vulnerability. Rijiju, a senior BJP voice from Arunachal Pradesh who manages the government's relationship with Parliament, is no stranger to this playbook — his posts on Congress figures are a reliable feature of the ruling party's digital offensive.
What makes this one land differently is the target. By praising Priyanka at Rahul's expense, Rijiju steps into long-running questions within political circles about which Gandhi sibling carries the sharper public presence. He does not answer that question — he simply lights the fuse and walks away.
Point of View
He seeds a narrative of intellectual dependency within the Gandhi family. It fits a broader ruling-party strategy of driving wedges — real or perceived — between Congress's first family and its messaging apparatus. Whether Congress responds or stays silent, the clip is already in circulation.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kiren Rijiju say about Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi?
Rijiju posted on 29 July 2026 that Priyanka Gandhi had 'stolen' Rahul Gandhi's speech, but added that she spoke much better than Rahul.
Which speech was Kiren Rijiju referring to?
The specific speech or occasion has not been officially confirmed; the context of the address Rijiju referenced has not been independently verified.
Is Kiren Rijiju a BJP leader?
Yes, Kiren Rijiju is a senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh and currently serves as Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs.
Why do BJP ministers comment on Congress leaders' speeches?
Commenting on Congress leaders' public performances is a routine part of BJP's social-media strategy, aimed at framing opposition messaging as weak or inconsistent.
Does Rijiju often post about Congress on social media?
Yes, Rijiju regularly uses social media to comment on Congress figures, making such posts a consistent feature of his public communication.
