Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 4: A heated exchange erupted between Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu inside the Parliament premises on Wednesday, with both leaders trading sharp remarks amid an Opposition protest ahead of the day’s proceedings.

During the face-off, Gandhi reportedly referred to Bittu as his “traitor friend”, a comment aimed at the former Congress leader who switched to the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The remark drew an immediate response from Bittu, who hit back by calling Gandhi a “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation).

Gandhi was also seen extending his hand towards Bittu and saying, “Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don’t worry, you will come back (to Congress).” However, Bittu declined to shake hands and continued the verbal sparring.

The latest war of words comes more than two years after Bittu had triggered controversy with remarks against Gandhi. In 2024, he had criticised Gandhi over his comments on Sikhs during a visit to the United States, even calling him “the number one terrorist of the country.”

The Congress had strongly condemned Bittu’s statement at the time, describing it as “bottom-tier” and demanding that the BJP remove him from the party and government.