BJP Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhye criticised Rahul Gandhi’s Pune student outreach programme, calling it a “political comedy show.” He accused Congress of politicising the event, questioned its past positions on key issues and alleged the party was using caste and religion
Published Date – 23 August 2026, 10:27 AM
Mumbai: BJP Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhye on Sunday termed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s student interaction in Pune a “political comedy show” and accused him of making political statements instead of addressing issues concerning students.
Reacting to the youth outreach programme ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ held in Pune on Saturday by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Upadhye claimed there was a contradiction between the Congress MP’s statements and the party’s past actions.
The BJP leader, in a statement, also claimed that students were brought in college buses to attend the programme and accused the Congress of turning the event into a political gathering in the name of students.
“Rahul Gandhi’s Pune event was yet another political comedy show,” he said, claiming that the Congress leader’s speech was full of “big statements and familiar allegations” but failed to address the Congress’ own record.
Upadhye questioned the Congress’ stand on women’s reservation and alleged that the party had opposed the candidature of tribal leader Droupadi Murmu for the post of President of India and the law against triple talaq.
“While searching for Manuwad, the Congress should first look in the mirror,” he said.
The Congress was unable to counter the development work of the Narendra Modi government and was therefore trying to raise issues of caste and religion, he claimed.
“Frustration over losing power, anger over electoral defeats and fear of Modi have together resulted in this so-called comedy show by Rahul Gandhi,” Upadhye charged.
While people were “laughing”, the Congress was still trying to find reasons for its electoral defeats, he added.