NDA Hits Back at Rahul-Priyanka Gandhi Over Pralhad Joshi Remarks, Demands Apology

July 29, 2026

New Delhi: The NDA on Wednesday demanded an apology from Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi over their remarks against newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.

NDA leaders accused the Congress leaders of making “baseless allegations” against Joshi, while Opposition parties backed Priyanka Gandhi’s comments and defended her remarks.

NDA Leaders Call Remarks Baseless

Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale criticised the comments made by Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, calling them “false allegations”.

He said Pralhad Joshi is a senior BJP leader who has been active in Karnataka politics for several years and claimed that the allegations against him were without basis.

TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti described the remarks as an attempt at “character assassination” and said education is a sensitive issue that should not be politicised.

BJP MP Satish Poonia also attacked the Congress leaders, saying Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi had inherited politics, while Pralhad Joshi reached his position through hard work and dedication.

BJP Leaders Seek Public Apology

BJP MP Manoj Tigga demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying making such allegations against a Union Minister inside Parliament was inappropriate.

BJP MP Shashank Mani Tripathi accused the Congress leaders of politicising the education debate and claimed that they were using student-related issues for political gains.

INDIA Bloc Defends Priyanka Gandhi’s Remarks

Meanwhile, leaders from the INDIA bloc supported Priyanka Gandhi’s comments against Pralhad Joshi.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks were related to the Bilkis Bano case, alleging that Joshi had supported the release of convicts in the case.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also defended Priyanka Gandhi’s statement, claiming that the issue had been reported in newspapers and that the remarks were based on facts.

JMM MP Mahua Maji said that if Priyanka Gandhi made such remarks, they must have been based on facts and expressed concern over the appointment of ministers responsible for important sectors like education.

The controversy comes amid a heated debate in Parliament over examination reforms, paper leaks and the government’s handling of issues affecting students.