NEW DELHI: Bangalore South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Friday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of adopting contradictory positions on Starlink’s entry into India, alleging that the Leader of Opposition was supporting the company to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a post on X, Surya criticised Gandhi’s response to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s remarks on the company’s efforts to enter the Indian market, alleging that the Congress leader had reversed his party’s earlier position on the issue. Surya claimed that the Congress had opposed Starlink’s possible entry into India last year, alleging that the move was intended to benefit businessmen close to the Prime Minister. He also said the party had raised national security concerns at the time.
“First, when discussions were going on last year about Starlink’s possible entry into India, the Congress party opposed it, alleging that this was being done to support businessmen close to Prime Minister Modi. They even brought in the national security angle to oppose Starlink’s entry. And now, the same Rahul Gandhi has made a complete U-turn and is pushing for Starlink’s entry into India. He has not only reversed his party’s stand from a few months ago, but has also conveniently forgotten the national security arguments his own party had raised then. This shows that Rahul Gandhi’s opposition is simply for the sake of opposition,” Surya said.
Rahul Gandhi’s reply to Elon Musk’s tweet today exposes two things that define Rahul Gandhi’s and the Congress ecosystem’s politics. Nothing exposes them better than this one tweet.
First, when discussions were going on last year about Starlink’s possible entry into India, the Congress party opposed it, alleging that this was being done to support businessmen close to Prime Minister Modi. They even brought in the national security angle to oppose Starlink’s entry.
And now, the same Rahul Gandhi has made a complete U-turn and is pushing for Starlink’s entry into India. He has not only reversed his party’s stand from a few months ago, but has also conveniently forgotten the national security arguments his own party had raised then.
This shows that Rahul Gandhi’s opposition is simply for the sake of opposition. When they thought the Modi government was supporting Starlink, they opposed it. Now, when they think the government is opposing it, they are supporting Starlink.
They can sway whichever way they want, as long as it is to oppose Modi. Principles, consistency and even national security can be conveniently forgotten.
Second, look at what has happened today and how history has parallels to this.
Rahul Gandhi is supporting a foreign businessman because he believes Indian businessmen are close to the Prime Minister. He seems willing to welcome a foreign businessman to challenge Indian businesses simply because he believes those businesses support Modi.
This reminds us of Jaichand. There are many such examples in Indian history where our own people sided with foreign interests to further their individual political ambitions. Every time, such choices cost the nation dearly. These divisions and betrayals contributed to centuries of foreign domination and subjugation.
Rahul Gandhi seems determined to replay the same textbook.
But this time, the consequences could extend beyond political hegemony to technological and economic dependence as well.
And for what? Just to oppose Modi?
Will you oppose India just to oppose Modi, Mr. Rahul Gandhi?
It is unfortunate that we have a Leader of Opposition like you, Mr. Rahul Gandhi.
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 9, 2026
He further alleged that Gandhi’s position on Starlink reflected a willingness to support foreign business interests to challenge Indian businesses perceived to be close to the Prime Minister. Drawing a parallel with the historical figure Jaichand, Surya accused Gandhi of siding with foreign interests for political purposes and cautioned that such an approach could lead to technological and economic dependence.
“This reminds us of Jaichand. There are many such examples in Indian history where our own people sided with foreign interests to further their individual political ambitions. Every time, such choices cost the nation dearly. These divisions and betrayals contributed to centuries of foreign domination and subjugation. And for what? Just to oppose Modi? Will you oppose India just to oppose Modi, Mr. Rahul Gandhi?” Surya asked in his post.
BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill also took a dig at the Lok Sabha LoP saying, “Rahul Gandhi Gang: Odd Day: BJP Govt is selling nation’s interest by giving license to Starlink. Even Day: BJP Govt is protecting Indian businessman by not giving license to Starlink. Don’t know about Starlink, but Prince’s “Intelligence-Link” is definitely disconnected”
The Musk-Rahul Gandhi conversation has ignited much criticism for the SpaceX CEO and the Lok Sabha LoP. (ANI)
