'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' Row: BJP, Congress Clash Over Italian Leader's Remark

A political storm has erupted after an Italian politician attending the Congress-organised Bharat Summit in Hyderabad raised the slogan, "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod," while expressing support for Rahul Gandhi. The BJP has seized on the remarks, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing Rahul Gandhi of allowing India to be defamed on an international platform and urging him to "visit Indian villages instead of taking foreign trips." The Congress has hit back, arguing that criticism from foreign leaders warrants introspection rather than outrage, while opposition leaders, including Sanjay Raut, have defended the remarks. The controversy has triggered a fresh war of words over democracy, foreign commentary and India's political discourse.