'Rahul Gandhi's anarchy toolkit': BJP targets Congress over Irfan Ansari's 'worse than Bangladesh' remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused the Congress of encouraging unrest after Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari warned that India could face a situation worse than Bangladesh and Nepal. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari linked the remarks to Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the opposition party was promoting anarchy rather than democratic protest.

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Sharing a video clip of Ansari speaking to reporters, Bhandari described the minister's statement as an "open call for anarchy".  

"This is yet another chapter in Rahul Gandhi's anarchy toolkit," Bhandari said, directing his criticism at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

What Irfan Ansari said about Bangladesh and Nepal

The controversy began after Ansari, who serves as Jharkhand's health minister, referred to political upheavals in Bangladesh and Nepal while criticising the BJP-led central government.

Speaking to reporters, the Congress leader said the governments in the two neighbouring countries had lost power after failing to address public grievances.

Ansari claimed that around 40 lakh young people were waiting for a call from Rahul Gandhi to take to the streets. He said the Congress leader had so far restrained them and questioned how many soldiers would be needed to control such a large mobilisation.

The minister further warned that the situation in India could become worse than that witnessed in Bangladesh and Nepal if the government failed to address public anger.

However, Ansari also said Gandhi had instructed supporters not to take the law into their own hands.

Political dispute follows INDIA bloc protests over electoral rolls

The exchange comes amid continuing protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Congress and other INDIA bloc parties against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

Opposition leaders held a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Congress has accused the Election Commission of failing to protect voting rights, allegations disputed by the BJP.

The ruling party has launched a nationwide "Save Democracy, End Anarchy" campaign in response to the opposition's protests.

On November 2, BJP president Nitin Nabin accused Gandhi of acting alongside forces seeking to destabilise India. Bhandari had made similar allegations against the Congress during protests in October.

Notably, Bangladesh's then prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned in August 2024 following weeks of student-led demonstrations. In Nepal, Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli stepped down in September 2025 after protests over a social media ban developed into a wider anti-corruption movement.

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