Rahul Gandhi to fly to Germany amid winter session; BJP criticises visit

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming visit to Berlin has kicked off a fresh political storm, with the BJP slamming him for going abroad even as the Lok Sabha continues its crucial winter session. Gandhi is scheduled to attend a major Indian Overseas Congress event in Berlin on December 17, where he will meet IOC leaders from across Europe.

Calling him ‘Videsh Nayak’, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla mocked the Congress leader for choosing a foreign tour over his duties as Leader of Opposition.

In a post shared on X, Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Once again Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best ! Going for a foreign tour ! Parliament is on till 19th Dec but Reports suggest Rahul Gandhi to visit Germany from Dec 15-20! Rahul is LoP – leader of paryatan During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari,” adding that Rahul Gandhi had similarly been away during the Bihar elections. “During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari,” Poonawalla’s X post further read.

Once again Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best ! Going for a foreign tour !

Parliament is on till 19th Dec but Reports suggest Rahul Gandhi to visit Germany from Dec 15-20!

Rahul is LoP – leader of paryatan

During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) December 10, 2025

Poonawalla said it is a “Bharat Badnaami Tour” and accusing the Congress leader of using foreign platforms to “spew venom against India”. With the Winter Parliament mid-session until December 19, Poonawalla said Gandhi’s decision to travel abroad once again shows his “clear priorities”.

Taking a sharp swipe, Poonawalla said, “Rahul Gandhi has again proven that LoP means ‘Leader of Paryatan’. He is a non-serious politician. People are on work mode; he is on vacation mode — permanent vacation mode.” He added that Gandhi frequently escapes abroad, recalling that during the Bihar elections, “he was on a jungle safari” while others were campaigning.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala says, “Rahul Gandhi has once again proved that LOP means leader of ‘paryatan’ (tourism). Rahul Gandhi is a non-serious politician. People are in work mode, he is in vacation mode…even when Parliament is in session till… pic.twitter.com/gHvzr3ZBaO

— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025

Talking about the intent behind the Germany visit, Poonawalla added, “I don’t know why he’s going for ‘some reason’, but it might be to spew venom against India. It is Bharat Badnaami Brigade and Bharat Badnaami Tour.”

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi hit out at Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the latter’s upcoming Germany visit amid the winter session of Parliament, saying that the Congress MP was a “part-time” political leader.

“Rahul Gandhi always spends most of his time abroad whenever Parliament is in session and later says that he doesn’t get a chance to speak. Even during the Bihar elections, he was abroad. He is a part-time, not serious political leader,” Joshi told reporters here.

#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, “Rahul Gandhi always spends most of his time abroad whenever Parliament is in session and later says that he doesn’t get a chance to speak. Even during the Bihar elections, he was abroad. He is part-time, not serious political… pic.twitter.com/QEYlhJdJ8W

— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025

Reacting to the allegations levelled by Gandhi regarding the Election Commission of India “colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)”, the Union Minister said that Congress blames EVM and EC when they lose.

“I want to ask him, what did you say when you won in Karnataka? When the INDI alliance won in Jharkhand, when you won in Telangana, what did you say? But when you lose, you blame the EVM, the Election Commission. They want to say that when there is a win, it’s because of them, but when they lose, it’s because of the system,” Joshi said.

Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has described the visit as a significant outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the party’s global engagement. The IOC announced that Rahul Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where Presidents of IOC chapters across Europe will gather to discuss NRI issues, Congress Party strengthening, and strategies to expand the party’s ideological reach.

Ausaf Khan, president of IOC-Austria, said the organisation is “honoured” to host Gandhi, noting the presence of senior leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Dr Arathi Krishna.

“We are honored to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025. The event will bring together all Presidents of the Indian Overseas Congress from across Europe, providing a unique platform to discuss key issues with Shri Rahul Gandhi, particularly on strengthening the Congress Party ,NRI issues and further exploring how the IOC can play a pivotal role in connecting more people to the party and spreading its ideology. We look forward to receiving invaluable guidance from our senior leadership, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, Shri Sam Pitroda, Dr. Arathi Krishna, and other esteemed leaders. Ausaf Khan President IOC, Austria”, Indian Overseas Congress’ X post read.

We are honored to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025.
The event will bring together all Presidents of the Indian Overseas Congress from… pic.twitter.com/TWsyzCbqBj

— Indian Overseas Congress (@INCOverseas) December 9, 2025

Moreover, Vikram Duhan, general secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress-UK, highlighted the broader diplomatic importance of the tour, saying Gandhi’s engagements in Germany would foster discussions on India’s global role and open opportunities for dialogue with German lawmakers and the Indian community abroad.

“The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji,s visit to Germany will offer a valuable platform to engage in dialogue on India’s global role, while fostering the exchange of ideas and opportunities with German legislators and members of the Indian diaspora. -Vikram Duhan General Secretary Indian Overseas Congress UK,” Indian Overseas Congress’ X post read. (ANI)