Congress leadership sought to play down internal ripples on its Foundation Day as senior party figures gathered in New Delhi, a day after former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh publicly urged the organisation to study the working relationship between the RSS and the BJP. The brief exchange between Singh and Rahul Gandhi during the celebrations underscored both the undercurrents within the party and an effort to project cohesion at a moment of strategic introspection.The interaction occurred when Rahul Gandhi greeted Singh with a handshake and remarked, in Hindi, “Kal aapne badmashi kar di,” loosely translated as “You were up to some mischief yesterday.” The comment drew laughter from those present, including Sonia Gandhi, and was widely interpreted within party circles as a light-hearted acknowledgement of Singh’s social media post rather than a reprimand. The moment, though informal, quickly became a talking point amid wider debate on the Congress’s organisational direction.
Singh’s post had advised the Congress to reflect on the ideological clarity, cadre discipline and long-term coordination that have defined the relationship between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party. While not naming any leader, the message was read by many as a critique of the Congress’s own structural weaknesses and factionalism, especially following a series of electoral setbacks and leadership churn at state levels.
Party officials insisted that the post reflected a personal view and did not signal discord with the leadership. Several leaders privately noted that Singh has long been known for offering blunt assessments, often framed as constructive criticism. The exchange with Rahul Gandhi, they said, was meant to signal that dissenting opinions would not overshadow the broader goal of unity.
Congress Foundation Day events this year were framed around reaffirming the party’s ideological legacy and sharpening its opposition role in Parliament and outside. Senior leaders emphasised the need to rebuild grassroots networks, empower district-level units and articulate a clearer narrative on economic stress, unemployment and social cohesion. The leadership also highlighted organisational reforms introduced over the past year, including greater coordination between the central leadership and state units and renewed emphasis on mass outreach programmes.
The timing of Singh’s remarks, however, added texture to the day’s symbolism. Political analysts point out that the Congress has struggled to maintain a consistent organisational rhythm compared to the BJP’s tightly knit structure, which benefits from the RSS’s cadre-based mobilisation and ideological training. Singh’s comparison tapped into a long-running debate within the Congress on whether it needs a more defined ideological anchor and disciplined organisational culture to counter its principal rival.
Rahul Gandhi’s response was viewed by observers as an attempt to neutralise potential controversy without escalating it. By framing the moment humorously, he avoided a public confrontation while implicitly acknowledging the substance of Singh’s comment. Party insiders say this approach aligns with Gandhi’s broader effort to encourage internal discussion without allowing it to fracture the organisation.
Sonia Gandhi’s presence during the exchange also carried symbolic weight. As a former party president who oversaw several phases of organisational rebuilding, her role has often been to steady the party during periods of transition. Leaders close to her said the emphasis remains on collective responsibility and internal dialogue rather than public sparring.
Beyond personalities, the episode highlights the Congress’s ongoing search for an effective counter-narrative to the BJP’s dominance. Electoral data from the past decade shows that organisational depth, booth-level management and ideological messaging have played a decisive role in shaping outcomes. While the Congress has retained pockets of influence and achieved successes in certain states, translating these into a sustained national challenge has proven difficult.