Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he had “surrendered” following a phone call from former US President Donald Trump during the recently publicised Operation Sindoor.

Gandhi made the remarks during the Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan, an organisational rebuilding campaign of the Congress party, held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The event saw participation from several party workers and leaders as part of efforts to revive the Congress's grassroots structure ahead of upcoming state and local body elections.

While addressing the crowd, Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the leadership of the ruling BJP, especially Prime Minister Modi’s actions during national security operations. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said:

“Trump picked up the phone and said something, and the Prime Minister surrendered. This is the reality of the leadership you have today.”

Although Gandhi did not elaborate on the specifics of the alleged surrender or the details of the Trump-Modi phone call, the comment drew strong reactions from political circles and media houses, triggering fresh debate on the government's handling of foreign policy and internal security.

This “surrender” remark is being seen as part of a larger Congress narrative to portray the Modi government as submissive on the international stage, particularly when confronted by influential Western powers.

In the same speech, Rahul Gandhi also addressed internal challenges within his own party. He acknowledged that there were genuine leaders in the Congress who were frustrated and unheard.

“There are many leaders who want to fight for the Congress. But they feel unheard. This will change. We are here to fix this,” he said.

He further warned party leaders who make “nonsensical statements”, declaring that such individuals would no longer find space in the new structure of the party.

“We will retire lame horses from the organisation,” Gandhi asserted, indicating a clear intention to weed out non-performing or controversial figures from the Congress setup as it prepares for rejuvenation.

The speech marked a significant shift in tone, combining both aggression against the ruling BJP and self-reflection within the Congress ranks. It comes at a time when the Congress is seeking to rebrand itself as a disciplined and modern political force, particularly after recent electoral setbacks in several key states.

Gandhi also made appeals for unity and hard work, urging the cadre to organise themselves at booth and panchayat levels, and take the party’s message directly to the people.

His remarks on Modi’s supposed surrender were seized upon by BJP leaders, who lashed out at the Congress MP for what they described as “baseless claims” and “disrespectful insinuations against the Prime Minister.”

Union Minister Smriti Irani, responding to Gandhi’s comments, said,

“This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has tried to mislead the public with theatrical nonsense. He should focus on his party’s crumbling credibility instead.”

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Gandhi of undermining the armed forces and national interest by politicising security operations.

“Operation Sindoor was a proud moment for every Indian. Instead of saluting the brave hearts, Rahul Gandhi chooses to throw mud at the Prime Minister with fictional stories,” Bhatia said in a press conference on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, political analysts have observed that Rahul Gandhi’s tone appears more assertive, particularly as he gears up to position himself as a central opposition figure in the run-up to the next Lok Sabha elections.

The Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan is the latest in a series of Congress outreach campaigns launched after internal assessments suggested a lack of coordination and engagement at district and block levels. Gandhi has maintained that structural reforms are essential if the party is to return to relevance on a national scale.

While his “Trump call” comment may have grabbed headlines, Rahul Gandhi’s Bhopal speech was also a signal of transformation — not just a political attack, but an attempt to reassert control over his party, demand accountability, and weed out complacency.

Whether this strategy translates into organisational strength or electoral success remains to be seen. However, the clear message was that Rahul Gandhi is now **willing to call out both his rivals

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