The Congress Working Committee (CWC) is hosting a two-day event on December 26 and 27 in Belagavi to commemorate the centenary of the 1924 Indian National Congress session, which was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.
However, the preparations have sparked embarrassment for the party after local Congress workers displayed banners and flex boards featuring a distorted map of India. The banners at the entrance of Belagavi city depicted a map missing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin, causing an uproar.
This high-profile event, marking the only Congress session led by Mahatma Gandhi, will be attended by prominent leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi.
The BJP seized the opportunity to criticize Congress, accusing it of undermining India’s territorial integrity. Former BJP MLA Sanjay Patil remarked that the incident reflects the “true mindset” of the Congress, citing its past opposition to the abrogation of Article 370. BJP Corporator Shreyas Nakadi called it a “mockery,” stating, “The crown of India is missing. This is no longer Mahatma Gandhi’s vision but Sonia, Rahul, and Priyanka Gandhi’s version of India.”
BJP leader Amit Malviya also lashed out, stating on X, “The Congress is the New Muslim League. It wants to break India, again.”
The Congress, on its part, distanced itself from the controversy. Congress MLC Nagaraj Yadav clarified that the banners were not officially endorsed by the party. “These are not official Congress banners but were put up by followers. Such well-wishers often act independently and do not coordinate with the party or follow official guidelines,” he said.
