Congress files complaint against BJP councillor R. Sreelekha over alleged derogatory comments against Rahul Gandhi
Congress councillor K.S. Sabarinadhan has filed a police complaint against BJP councillor R. Sreelekha for her alleged derogatory remarks about Rahul Gandhi. Sreelekha had compared Gandhi's political rhetoric to the effects of narcotics, prompting accusations of character assassination and religious insensitivity.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the intensifying political friction and the use of inflammatory language in Indian regional politics, potentially impacting local communal harmony.
K.S. Sabarinadhan, Congress councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, on Thursday (October 15, 2026) filed a police complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor R. Sreelekha over alleged derogatory remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Referring to Mr. Gandhi's remarks likening the ongoing protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to a "thandav", Ms. Sreelekha allegedly said the Congress leader was “displaying the restlessness and frenzy when drugs in excess quantities enter the body and not a thandav.” She was speaking at a BJP event at Punalur in Kollam district recently.
Mr. Sabarinadhan, who filed a complaint with the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram), said Ms. Sreelekha's comments were an attempt to demean Mr. Gandhi and tarnish his reputation. “Political disagreement does not justify character assassination,” he said.
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