Rahul-Occupied Congress: Anurag Thakur’s Fiery Attack Ignites Lok Sabha Debate

The Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed a dramatic exchange in the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 28, 2025, during the crucial debate on Operation Sindoor. Leading the charge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched a no-holds-barred attack on the Opposition, particularly targeting Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and what he controversially termed the “Rahul-Occupied Congress.”

Thakur’s remarks sent ripples through the political landscape, sparking intense discussions about national security, political accountability, and the role of the Opposition.

India Fought on “Two and a Half Fronts,” Says Anurag Thakur

• During the debate, Anurag Thakur asserted that India has historically contended with challenges on “two and a half fronts.”
• He elaborated, stating that while the first two fronts are widely acknowledged, the “half front” represents the “Rahul-Occupied Congress.”
• This pointed reference implied that, in his view, the Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, acts as an internal challenge to national unity and interests.

The Genesis of “Rahul-Occupied Congress”

• Anurag Thakur introduced the term “Rahul-Occupied Congress” to criticize the party’s perceived stance on critical national issues.
• He accused the Rahul-Occupied Congress of making “disgusting and insulting cartoons against the Prime Minister and the Indian Army” on social media over the past two months.
• Thakur demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi to the entire nation and the Indian Army for these alleged actions by the Rahul-Occupied Congress.

Accusations of Aligning with Pakistan’s Propaganda

• A significant part of Thakur’s offensive focused on the Congress’s alleged alignment with Pakistan’s narrative.
• He dubbed Rahul Gandhi the “poster boy of Pakistan’s propaganda,” asserting that the leader’s statements often echo anti-India sentiments rather than patriotic dissent.
• Thakur controversially remarked that the Indian National Congress (INC) has effectively transformed into “Islamabad National Congress” due to its statements and actions.
• He highlighted instances where, according to him, Congress leaders appear to defend Pakistan even more vehemently than Pakistan itself.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi’s Leadership and Stance

• Thakur questioned Rahul Gandhi’s credentials, stating that the public has twice denied him enough votes to even qualify as the Leader of the Opposition.
• He sarcastically redefined Rahul Gandhi’s position from “LoP (Leader of Opposition)” to “LoB (Leader Opposing Bharat),” suggesting that opposing India and the Prime Minister has become his primary agenda.
• The minister further criticized the Rahul-Occupied Congress for its reaction to Operation Sindoor, claiming that Rahul Gandhi showed more interest in potential Indian military losses than in the neutralization of terrorist elements.
• He reminded the House of past instances where the Congress allegedly disrespected the armed forces, citing a previous instance where the Army Chief was reportedly called a “sadak ka gunda” (street thug).

Operation Sindoor Debate: Context and Opposition’s Role

• The Lok Sabha debate centered on Operation Sindoor, India’s decisive response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, predominantly tourists.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiated the discussion, emphasizing that India’s military operation was not halted under any external pressure and successfully neutralized terrorist infrastructure.
• Thakur also criticized the Opposition for allegedly failing to acknowledge key details of the Pahalgam attack, such as terrorists reportedly singling out victims based on religion before killing them.
• He questioned the Opposition’s lack of applause for the Indian Army’s achievements, as highlighted by the Defence Minister.

A Historic Betrayal? The Rahul-Occupied Congress Under Scrutiny

• Anurag Thakur concluded his fiery address by alleging that the Rahul-Occupied Congress would be remembered in history for “betrayal and deceit” during a moment of national crisis.
• This strong accusation underscores the deep ideological divide and intense political rhetoric prevalent in the Indian Parliament.
• The debate highlights the government’s firm stance on national security and its resolve to counter terrorism, while simultaneously challenging the Opposition’s approach to such critical matters. The term Rahul-Occupied Congress is likely to resonate in political discussions for some time, reflecting the sharpness of the attacks launched by the ruling party.