Congress Leader Ajay Rai’s Rafale Mockery Draws Pakistani Media’s Attention, BJP Backlash

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:May 05, 2025, 10:33 IST

Congress leader Ajay Rai’s remark drew massive criticism. BJP leader CR Kesavan said that Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces.

Hours after Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai took a dig at the BJP-led central government over the Pahalgam terror attack, mocking it with a toy Rafale, a Pakistani news outlet highlighted his remark.

Rai on Sunday, while speaking to media, displayed a toy Rafale plane with “nimbu mirchi” (lemon and chillies) hung on it, a traditional sign believed to ward off the evil eye.

“Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. But this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists — they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?,” said Rai.

A Pakistani media outlet, ARY News, covered his remark by sharing pictures of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the Rafale and Ajay Rai holding the toy Rafale. The anchor in the clip was also heard highlighting Rai’s remark.

BJP Leader Shares Clip Of Pakistani Outlet Citing Rai’s Remark, Calls It ‘Disgraceful’

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh BJP President Vishnu Vardhan Reddy shared the clip of the Pakistani media outlet and lashed out at Rai, calling it “disgraceful”.

“Well done, Congress leader @kashikirai— your baseless attacks on Rafale have now earned you prime time coverage in Pakistan. You’ve not just mocked India’s defense capabilities, you’ve handed propaganda material to our enemies. Truly disgraceful,” the BJP leader wrote on X.

How BJP Reacted To Ajay Rai’s Remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders also hit back at Rai for his remark and slammed Congress. BJP leader CR Kesavan said that Congress and its leaders are disloyal to India.

“The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeat offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party’s sinister ploy will not be successful,” Kesavan told news agency ANI.

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned why Congress was continuously attacking the morale of the armed forces.

“Why is a continuous attack being made on the morale of armed forces?…Congress party is not taking action because Pakistan ko kehna bhaijaan, sena ka karna apman, ye Congress ki bann chuki hai pehchan, Pakistan aur Congress do shareer aur bole ek hi zubaan (Congress party is not taking action because Pakistan is their dear brother while the army is being insulted, and this Congress’s identity is that it is a partner to Pakistan and speaks their language),” he added.

Pahalgam Terror Attack

A terrorist attack in Jammu-Kashmir’s Pahalgam left 26 dead, including 25 tourists and one local. India took several strong measures against Pakistan in the backdrop of the attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured action against the terrorists and said, “it is my responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack our country.”

First Published:

May 05, 2025, 07:22 IST