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February 4, 2026, New Delhi : The corridors of power witnessed a direct and personal confrontation today as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu engaged in a high-voltage verbal duel near the Makar Dwar. The incident occurred while several opposition members were holding a protest against the recent suspension of eight members from the House. As the Union Minister of State for Railways walked past the demonstrating group, the atmosphere grew tense with an exchange of labels that highlighted the deep political rift between the former colleagues.
Pointing toward the minister, Rahul Gandhi addressed the surrounding crowd and remarked on the presence of a person he termed a traitor. He then extended his hand toward his former party colleague, referring to him as a traitor friend and suggesting that the minister would eventually find his way back to the Congress fold. The jibe appears to be a direct reference to the decision by the three-time former Congress lawmaker to switch allegiances to the Bharatiya Janata Party just before the previous general elections.
The interaction remained cold as the Union Minister declined the gesture of a handshake. Responding with equal intensity, the minister described the Congress leader as an enemy of the nation, or desh ke dushman, as he moved away from the site of the protest. The brief but pointed exchange took place in full view of other parliamentarians and security staff, marking one of the most personal face-offs between the two leaders since their political paths diverged.
The friction between the two has been building for months, characterized by various public statements and legal challenges. Inside the legislative chambers, the day remained equally turbulent, with the Lok Sabha facing an early adjournment. Opposition members continued their loud demonstrations, raising placards and slogans against the government, while the treasury benches emphasized the need for maintaining parliamentary decorum and proceeding with the scheduled business of the day.
