Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, began his five-day visit to Germany with a warm reception in Berlin, where members of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) welcomed him at the airport. The visit is aimed at strengthening the Congress party’s engagement with the Indian diaspora and expanding its organisational footprint across Europe.
Soon after his arrival, IOC members greeted Rahul Gandhi with garlands and slogans, describing the visit as an important moment for overseas party workers. He is scheduled to attend a major IOC event in Berlin, which will bring together presidents and senior representatives of the Indian Overseas Congress from several European countries.
According to IOC officials, the gathering is focused on building stronger coordination among overseas Congress units and addressing issues faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Rahul Gandhi is expected to interact extensively with members of the Indian community, listen to their concerns, and outline the party’s broader vision and ideology.
In a message shared on social media, the Indian Overseas Congress said it was honoured to host Rahul Gandhi, noting that the event would provide a common platform for discussions on strengthening the Congress organisation abroad and enhancing the role of the IOC in connecting with Indians living overseas.
However, Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visit has once again triggered political controversy back home. BJP leaders criticised the timing of the trip, pointing out that it was announced during the Winter Session of Parliament. They questioned the Congress leader’s priorities, alleging that frequent overseas travel reflects a lack of commitment to parliamentary responsibilities.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, claiming his repeated tours were one of the reasons for the Congress party’s electoral decline. In a sharp remark, she said she does not follow his travel schedule but added that the party’s weakened position was evident to everyone.
The Congress has strongly defended the visit. Party leader Priyanka Gandhi countered the BJP’s criticism by stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself spends a significant amount of time abroad on official tours. She questioned why similar scrutiny was being applied when the Leader of the Opposition travels overseas to engage with Indians living abroad.
