The Congress party’s tryst with controversial statements continues as Mani Shankar Aiyar’s latest observation about ‘Islamabad-like’ political rhetoric invited a stinging rebuke from BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla. Labeling Congress the ‘Islamabad National Congress’, Poonawalla exposed what he called the party’s pattern of Pakistan appeasement.
Aiyar’s comments came amid discussions on rising communal tensions. He argued that certain political strategies were mirroring Pakistan’s divisive tactics. While intended as critique against BJP’s Hindu nationalist agenda, the reference to Pakistan’s capital backfired spectacularly.
Poonawalla masterfully flipped the script. In a series of pointed tweets, he cataloged Congress’s historical positions: opposing the abrogation of Article 370, questioning India’s right to strike back after terror attacks, and maintaining dialogue with Pakistan even during hostilities. ‘This is why Congress deserves the Islamabad tag,’ he concluded.
The BJP spokesperson didn’t stop at history lessons. He questioned Congress leadership’s silence, asking why Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hadn’t reprimanded Aiyar. This line of attack aims to paint Congress as ideologically compromised on national security.
Aiyar, 78, has long been Congress’s intellectual voice, but his unfiltered style often lands the party in trouble. Supporters see him as a principled statesman; critics view him as a liability whose Pakistan sympathies undermine Congress’s patriotism claims.
Social media erupted with memes and videos juxtaposing Aiyar’s statement with Congress’s past Pakistan policy. The ‘Islamabad National Congress’ hashtag trended nationwide, amplifying BJP’s message to millions.
For Congress, managing such episodes has become routine. Party strategists worry that repeated controversies erode voter trust, especially among security-conscious demographics. As elections near, every statement is scrutinized, and Aiyar’s gaffe provides BJP fresh campaign fodder.
Poonawalla’s response exemplifies modern political warfare – quick, sharp, and shareable. In India’s soundbite-driven discourse, the BJP communicator has once again proven his mastery of the narrative battlefield.