The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following criticism of Rahul Gandhi's planned trip to Germany during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The BJP has been critical of Gandhi's international travel, leading to a back-and-forth between the parties.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to visit Germany from December 15 to 20, 2025. During his visit, he will engage with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17 and meet with German government ministers. The visit coincides with the Winter Session of Parliament, which is scheduled to conclude on December 19.

The BJP has seized on this scheduling conflict to attack Gandhi, accusing him of neglecting his parliamentary duties. BJP leaders have mockingly referred to him as "Leader of Paryatan" (Leader of Tourism) and "Videsh Nayak" (Foreign Hero), implying that he prioritizes foreign trips over his responsibilities as a parliamentarian. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized Gandhi, calling him a "part-time, non-serious political leader" who spends time abroad when Parliament is in session and then complains about not getting a chance to speak. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticized Gandhi for choosing a foreign tour over his duties as Leader of Opposition.

The Congress party has defended Gandhi's trip, with leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hitting back at the BJP. She questioned the BJP's criticism, pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spends a significant amount of time abroad. "Why are they raising questions about the Leader of the Opposition traveling?" she asked. She also stated that PM Modi spends almost half his working time abroad, yet no one questions him. Congress leaders have asserted that the visit is part of Gandhi's broader international outreach strategy, which includes engaging with diaspora communities in the US, UK, and Southeast Asia. They maintain that the Germany trip is for official engagements and global outreach.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar also defended Gandhi, saying that the government should respond to the questions raised by other leaders in Parliament, even if Gandhi is not present. He added that there must be something important and that they would find out later why he had gone to Germany.

Ausaf Khan, President of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), Austria, said that Gandhi's visit would provide a platform to discuss key issues with IOC leaders from across Europe, strengthen the Congress Party, address NRI issues, and explore how the IOC can play a pivotal role in connecting more people to the party and spreading its ideology.

Amid the political sparring, Rahul Gandhi has reiterated his allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft), accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling BJP to "shape elections". The controversy surrounding Gandhi's trip highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Congress and the BJP, with both sides using the opportunity to take potshots at each other.