In a bold and surprising statement, former Union minister Shakeel Ahmad has unleashed a fierce critique of Rahul Gandhi, the prominent Congress leader. Ahmad, who stepped away from the Congress party in November 2025, did not hold back, labeling Gandhi as 'darpok,' which translates to 'coward,' and further branding him as 'insecure.' In his remarks, Ahmad offered a piercing assessment of Gandhi’s leadership style, suggesting that he exhibits dictatorial tendencies and lacks the democratic spirit expected from someone in his position. Ahmad elaborated, stating, 'Rahul Gandhi is a coward and an insecure individual. He lacks the authoritative presence, or the 'boss feeling,' when confronted by anyone who holds more seniority or possesses substantial public support. This discomfort leads him to act in a dictatorial manner instead of embracing a democratic approach.'
The ex-Congress general secretary didn't stop there; he pointed out that Gandhi, who was at the helm during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, shockingly lost his own seat in Amethi—a stronghold for the Gandhi family—attributing this significant defeat to Gandhi’s problematic attitude towards leadership. Ahmad, who has served as both a three-time MLA and two-time MP from Bihar, further claimed that he encountered no individuals who stated their names were removed from the voter rolls during last year’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.
It’s worth noting that Ahmad’s resignation came just days before the Bihar assembly election results were announced, where the Congress managed to secure a mere six out of the 61 seats it contested as part of the RJD-led opposition alliance, while the ruling NDA achieved a sweeping victory.
In response to Ahmad's critical comments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized the opportunity to emphasize what they called the exposure of Gandhi’s true nature. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media platform X to declare, 'Shakeel Ahmad has laid bare the reality of Rahul Gandhi. Despite his claims of being tolerant and democratic, the truth reveals him to be the most dictatorial figure, reminiscent of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency mindset.'
Addressing Ahmad's assertion about the absence of voters claiming their names were purged from electoral lists during the SIR in Bihar, Poonawalla criticized Gandhi for making what he referred to as 'baseless' allegations of vote tampering, suggesting that Gandhi was merely attempting to shift the blame for his party's electoral losses onto others.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are these harsh criticisms a reflection of genuine concerns within the Congress party, or simply political rhetoric aimed at undermining a rival? And how do these internal tensions within one of India's oldest political parties affect its future prospects? We invite you to share your thoughts and engage in this discussion.
