Congress Divided Over Digvijaya Singh’s Remarks on BJP-RSS

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 28, 2025: The Congress appeared divided over senior leader Digvijaya Singh’s recent remarks that were perceived as appreciative of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), even as Singh clarified that he remains a staunch opponent of their ideology.

Singh triggered a controversy after an online post in which he stated that the BJP and the RSS allow grassroots workers to rise to top positions, including those of chief minister and prime minister. The post was accompanied by a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting on the floor alongside BJP veteran L.K. Advani. The remarks drew sharp reactions within the party and on social media.

The controversy also brought renewed attention to another post by Singh made about a week earlier, in which he had stressed the need for reforms and decentralisation of power within the Congress organisation.

Responding to the criticism, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said Singh’s comments were being misread. “Appreciation and acknowledging facts are two different things. Digvijaya Singh inspires many people. The fundamental ideology of the RSS is contrary to the idea of India, and both Digvijaya Singh and the Congress reject it completely. This was only a pragmatic assessment of what the RSS has achieved organisationally,” Khurshid said.

Congress leader Alka Lamba echoed similar views, saying that analysing an opponent’s strengths did not amount to endorsing its ideology. “It is democracy, and everyone can have a point of view. But we do not agree with the ideology of the RSS at all,” she said.

However, several party leaders openly disagreed with Singh’s remarks. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “I do not agree with what he has said. Godse supporters cannot be Gandhi supporters.”

Senior leader Rashid Alvi said Singh should clarify the intent behind sharing the photograph, adding that the BJP’s strength comes from the RSS. “We have seen the BJP’s condition during the Lok Sabha elections when RSS support was withdrawn,” he said.

Seeking to downplay the internal differences, Congress leader Sachin Pilot asserted that the party remained united. “The country needs a strong opposition. There are no differences within the Congress. Opinions can be expressed freely, but our single goal is to strengthen Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi,” he said.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said there was no need for the party to learn anything from the RSS. “They should learn from us. We do not need to learn from Nathuram Godse’s organisation,” she said.

Defending Singh, Congress MP Rajni Patil said his remarks had been misinterpreted. “Digvijaya ji has not said anything wrong. The media should not twist his statement,” she said.

The episode has highlighted differing viewpoints within the Congress on how to assess the organisational strength of the BJP-RSS combine, even as the party reiterated its opposition to the RSS ideology.