The quote "If you have an enemy within, you don’t need one outside" is a widely recognized sentiment, though not definitively attributed to any single historical figure. It underscores the idea that internal discord can be more damaging than external threats—a theme echoed in politics, military strategy, and philosophy. Similar notions have been expressed by figures like Winston Churchill and Julius Caesar, notably in "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
Political analysts argue that this maxim perfectly applies to the Congress party, which has repeatedly inflicted political self-lesion and laceration through reckless statements. Notably, Mani Shankar Aiyar’s infamous remarks—"Neech Kisam Ka Aadmi" and "Chaiwala"—became potent political ammunition for Narendra Modi in 2014 general elections, allowing him to turn these insults into an emotional rallying cry that resonated with voters.
The Congress party’s repeated missteps, in the form of reckless and ill-timed remarks by its leaders, have become a goldmine for the BJP’s narrative-building machinery. Time and again, Congress leaders have made statements that not only erode their own party’s credibility but also allow the BJP to craft compelling counter-narratives. Pro-government media outlets eagerly amplify these blunders, ensuring they dominate public discourse and leave an indelible mark on voters’ perceptions.
Cong leader Shama and Rohit Sharma Controversy:
Alienating Cricket Fans:
Congress leader Shams Mohamed’s unwarranted and senseless remarks about Indian cricket captain, Rohit Sharma have triggered fresh outrage. Given cricket’s near-religious status in India, such comments have the potential to alienate Congress from fans nation and worldwide. Pro-BJP TV channels wasted no time in escalating the controversy, portraying it as another example of Congress’ disconnect from national pride. Overzealous news anchors created a media frenzy, deflecting attention from pressing national issues while reinforcing the BJP’s narrative that Congress disregards popular figures who symbolize India’s identity.
Mani Shankar Aiyar’s Serial Blunders: A BJP Asset
Few Congress leaders have inadvertently benefited the BJP’s propaganda machine as much as Mani Shankar Aiyar’s infamous outburst, "neech kisam ka aadmi" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, was immediately spun into a casteism slur. The BJP successfully framed Congress as a party of entitled elites looking down upon Modi’s humble origin. In Gujarat, this narrative proved highly effective, aiding the BJP in securing spectacular electoral victory.
Similarly, Aiyar’s 2014 remark mocking Modi’s "chaiwala" background provided the BJP with an opportunity to mobilize support through the "Chai Pe Charcha" campaign. By transforming a put-down into an advantage, the BJP reinforced Modi’s pro-poor image while cementing the perception that Congress remains disconnected from grassroots realities.
Sam Pitroda’s ‘Hua Toh Hua’ Gaffe: A Self-Goal in 2019
Just before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Sam Pitroda, while discussing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, casually remarked, "Hua toh hua" (It happened, so what?). The BJP, long accusing Congress of shielding the perpetrators, capitalized on this callous statement to reinforce its claim that Congress had no remorse for the Sikh community’s suffering. Pro-government media ran the clip in relentless loops, ensuring the controversy remained fresh in voters’ minds, damaging Congress' prospects in the elections.
Sandeep Dikshit’s Insult to the Army: A Nationalist Narrative Gift
Another reckless remark came from Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who referred to then-Army Chief General Bipin Rawat as a "sadak ka gunda" (street thug). This statement played directly into the BJP’s nationalist rhetoric. The ruling party swiftly attacked Congress for being disrespectful toward the armed forces. Government-friendly channels played the clip incessantly, reinforcing the idea that Congress was anti-national and out of sync with public sentiment.
Media Amplification: How BJP Capitalizes on Congress’ Missteps
The BJP’s well-oiled media machinery ensures that every Congress misstep is magnified. Statements that would typically fade into political noise become headline-grabbing controversies, with news channels running aggressive prime-time debates. Social media trends push BJP’s counter-narratives, while party spokespersons echo the outrage in a well-coordinated attack.
While Congress leaders argue that their words are taken out of context, they fail to recognize that in today’s hyper-connected media landscape, perception often trumps intent. The BJP, with its mastery over narrative-building, ensures that even minor Congress blunders become political liabilities.
BJP’s Controversial Remarks:
Swift Damage Control & Narrative Management:
Despite Congress’ frequent missteps, the BJP is not without its own controversies including lynching, a heinous crime. However, the key difference lies in how the ruling party swiftly controls damage, enforces discipline, and shifts the narrative before it can affect electoral prospects. BJP tactfully ignores controversies which are related to its vote bank and even top leaders feign ignorance about such issues which pose a serious threat to social fabric in the society in the country.
Nupur Sharma’s Prophet Remarks (2022): Diplomatic Firefighting
BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate in 2022 triggered massive protests domestically and diplomatic backlash from Gulf nations. The BJP swiftly suspended Sharma and issued a statement reaffirming its respect for all religions. The government engaged in diplomatic outreach to placate key Gulf allies. Pro-government media subtly shifted the narrative, arguing that Sharma’s remarks were provoked, thus neutralizing the damage.
Anurag Thakur’s “Desh Ke Gaddaron Ko” Chant (2020): Controlled Narrative Shift
Former Union Minister, Anurag Thakur led a crowd in chanting "Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro" (Shoot the traitors) during the Delhi Assembly elections in 2020, raising concerns about incitement to violence. The Election Commission removed Thakur from BJP’s star campaigners’ list, creating an impression of accountability. BJP leaders avoided further comments, while pro-government channels diverted focus to alleged violence by anti-CAA protesters. The party aggressively attacked the AAP government on other fronts, minimizing the controversy’s impact.
Kapil Mishra’s Pre-Riot Threats (2020): Redirecting the Blame
Days before the North-East Delhi riots, BJP leader Kapil Mishra made incendiary remarks warning anti-CAA protesters. His speech coincided with the outbreak of violence, drawing criticism. While Mishra remained defiant, BJP distanced itself from his remarks. Pro-BJP media redirected focus to opposition figures like AAP’s Tahir Hussain, shifting blame. The government framed the riots as a consequence of anti-CAA protests, deflecting responsibility.
Sadhvi Pragya’s Praise for Nathuram Godse (2019): Quick Damage Containment
BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur caused uproar by calling Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse, a “patriot.” Modi publicly condemned her statement, saying, "I will never be able to forgive Pragya Thakur.”BJP forced her to issue an apology and side-lined her from campaign events. Though she won from Bhopal, she was kept away from key party roles to prevent further embarrassment.
T. Raja Singh’s Anti-Prophet Remarks (2022): Firefighting to Prevent Backlash
Telangana BJP MLA T. Raja Singh made inflammatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, triggering protests. BJP swiftly suspended him. The police arrested him to showcase law-and-order enforcement. Pro-BJP media framed the controversy as an isolated case, preventing long-term political damage.
BJP’s Mastery over Crisis Management.
Unlike Congress, which struggles with damage control, the BJP employs a three-pronged strategy to contain crises: Firs, there are immediate suspensions, condemnations besides distancing from errant leaders.
2nd, Media Management: Pro-government channels shift focus from controversies to counter-narratives.
3rd,Narrative Shaping: The BJP reframes issues to portray itself as a victim of media bias or redirect attention to opposition figures.
Congress Must Rein Itself In:
The Congress party’s inability to discipline its leaders’ reckless statements remains a major liability. Meanwhile, the BJP enforces strict communication discipline, ensuring that its messaging remains sharp and targeted. If Congress hopes to counter the BJP’s dominance in the political narrative, it must impose tighter control over its leadership’s remarks but it seems like a mirage and phantasm. Until then, each careless comment will serve as another brick in the fortress of the BJP’s electoral success.
(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs Columnist based in Shimla)