Ex-Congress Leader Claims Threat To Life After Calling Rahul Gandhi 'Darpok'

In a recent development, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad has claimed a threat to his life after publicly criticizing Rahul Gandhi, calling him a "darpok" (coward) and an insecure leader. Ahmad, a former Union Minister and party general secretary who resigned from the Congress in November 2025 following the Bihar Assembly elections, made the remarks in an interview.

Ahmad's criticism didn't stop at calling Gandhi a coward. He also accused Gandhi of being "dictatorial" and "non-democratic," alleging that Gandhi doesn't value the opinions of senior colleagues and instead promotes younger leaders who only sing his praises. According to Ahmad, Gandhi feels uncomfortable around senior leaders with public standing, preferring to promote those without a strong base. He said that Gandhi is insecure and believes that he needs to control the party and that all decisions should go through him. Ahmad pointed to Rahul Gandhi's loss in Amethi, a seat nurtured by his family, as evidence of his flawed leadership. He stated that while Sonia Gandhi was able to make the Congress her own, Rahul Gandhi failed to do the same.

These statements have caused a stir within the Congress party. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari has strongly rebuked Ahmad, accusing him of ingratitude and questioning his motives for attacking the leadership after leaving the party. Tiwari highlighted the positions and opportunities the Congress provided Ahmad, including Communications Minister and Union Minister, and urged him to show restraint and thank the party. Tiwari also defended Rahul Gandhi, calling him a "fearless warrior" fighting against the BJP and the Modi government. Congress leader Rashid Alvi defended Gandhi, stating that Gandhi is the need of the country and that no other leader confronts Prime Minister Narendra Modi the way he does.

The BJP has seized upon Ahmad's criticism to attack Rahul Gandhi. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the episode exposed Rahul Gandhi's "real image" and that even Congress leaders and workers do not accept him as a leader.

It is worth noting that this isn't the first time Rahul Gandhi has claimed a threat to his life. In August 2025, during a defamation case hearing in Pune related to his remarks about V.D. Savarkar, Gandhi stated he faced a threat. He cited his political battles and the complainant's family background. However, Gandhi's lawyer later withdrew the application, stating that he hadn't obtained Gandhi's consent for the submission.

Ahmad's accusations come at a time when the Congress party is already facing internal challenges and struggling to regain its political footing. The party has faced questions regarding Rahul Gandhi's leadership. These recent events add another layer of complexity to the Congress's efforts to present a united front and challenge the ruling BJP.