The Indian National Congress has once again been plunged into controversy following a social media post by senior leader Digvijaya Singh that appeared to praise the organizational strength of the RSS and BJP. In the post shared on December 27, 2025, Singh highlighted how the BJP-RSS ecosystem allows grassroots workers to rise to top positions such as chief minister and prime minister. He accompanied the message with a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seated on the floor beside veteran BJP leader LK Advani. The remark quickly sparked debate within the party and drew sharp reactions from several Congress leaders who viewed it as an indirect endorsement of the ideological rivals.

Although Singh later clarified that he remains a staunch opponent of the RSS-BJP combine and its ideology, the initial post reignited discussions about internal differences in the Congress. The controversy also brought renewed attention to another recent statement by Singh, made just a week earlier, in which he publicly called for reforms, decentralization of power, and greater grassroots involvement within the Congress itself. He had specifically tagged the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in that appeal. Party spokespersons and senior figures were quick to launch damage control, with the Congress officially reiterating its ideological opposition to the RSS and emphasizing that it never engages in religion-based politics.

Several prominent Congress leaders distanced themselves from Singh’s analysis while firmly rejecting any alignment with RSS ideology. Pawan Khera, a key member of the Congress Working Committee and in charge of media and publicity, openly disagreed, stating that “Godse’s supporters cannot be Gandhi’s supporters.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who has previously advocated for a ban on the RSS, underscored the fundamental differences between his party and the BJP-RSS combine. Without naming Singh directly, Kharge asserted that while the Congress may currently have less political power, its backbone remains strong, and it refuses to seek votes in the name of religion.

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Other voices within the party presented a more nuanced or supportive stance toward Singh. Senior leader Salman Khurshid defended him, explaining that appreciating organizational achievements is distinct from endorsing ideology, and affirmed that Singh remains fully aligned with the party leadership. Rajni Patil backed Singh, arguing that his statement had been twisted by the media and that he had said nothing wrong. Sachin Pilot sought to downplay any perception of disunity, insisting that the Congress remains united under Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, that differences of opinion are natural in a democratic setup, and that the party’s sole focus is to strengthen its leadership and opposition role.

The episode has once again exposed underlying tensions within the Congress over strategy, internal democracy, and how to respond to the BJP’s organizational model. While some leaders like Supriya Shrinate and Alka Lamba categorically rejected any notion of learning from the RSS, others called for pragmatic self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses without compromising core ideological principles. The controversy highlights the ongoing challenge for the Congress to maintain a united front amid public expressions of differing views, especially as the party continues to position itself as the principal opposition in Indian politics.

Also Read: ‘A Swayamsevak Became PM’: Digvijaya Singh Credits RSS-BJP Ecosystem for PM Modi’s Rise