Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh landed in controversy after he praised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their strong organisational structure. Singh shared an old photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani on his X account on Saturday.

The post immediately drew attention as it came just ahead of a crucial Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. The meeting focused on finalising the party’s agitation plan against the scrapping of MGNREGA from January 5.

Indirect Message to Congress Leadership

Singh tagged several senior Congress leaders in his post, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, and Priyanka Gandhi. Many within the party viewed the move as an indirect attack on the Congress leadership.

The post appeared to follow Singh’s earlier remarks in which he urged the party to adopt reforms and promote decentralised decision-making. These comments added to the perception that he was questioning the way the Congress currently functions.

Singh Explains the Message Behind the Photo

In his post written in Hindi, Singh explained why the image impressed him. He wrote, "I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impactful. It shows how an RSS grassroots volunteer and a Jan Sangh/BJP worker, who once sat on the floor at the feet of leaders, went on to become a state’s chief minister and the country’s prime minister. This is the power of organisation,"

The undated black-and-white photograph shows Prime Minister Modi and former BJP chief LK Advani at a public rally, along with several others.

https://twitter.com/digvijaya_28/status/2004769895092027472

Earlier Call for Congress Reforms

Before this controversy, Singh had already spoken about the need for internal changes within the Congress. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister had said the party needs “more pragmatic decentralised functioning.”

He had also remarked, “I am sure you would do it because I know you can do it. Only problem is that it is not easy to “Convince” you!!,”

These statements had already caused unease within the party.

Digvijaya Singh Issues Clarification

After his remarks triggered sharp reactions, Singh clarified his position. He stressed that while he opposes the RSS ideology, he respects its organisational strength.

He was quoted by ANI as saying, “I've been saying this from the beginning: I am opposed to the ideology of the RSS. They neither respect the Constitution nor the country's laws, and it's an unregistered organisation. But I admire their organisational capacity because an organisation that isn't even registered has become so powerful that the Prime Minister says from the Red Fort that it is the world's largest NGO,”

Singh also questioned the transparency of the RSS. He said, "If it is an NGO, then where are its rules and regulations? But still, I admire their organisational capacity."

Strong Criticism of RSS Ideology

Singh again underlined his opposition to the RSS ideology in remarks quoted by NDTV. He said, “I am strongly opposed to the RSS ideology. Because they do not follow the Indian Constitution. RSS is an unregistered organisation, which does not fall under any law. And the way they spread hatred against minorities in our country... the way their organisation works, I am against it,”

Despite this, Singh said Congress could learn from the RSS’s ability to mobilise workers.

Singh Says Congress Must Learn Organisational Discipline

Singh argued that the Congress needs stronger organisational commitment. He said, "Definitely. The power of the organisation is such that they can go from house to house and sell a comb to a bald person. They are so clever in this way. We need the same type of commitment from Congress workers,"

His comments further fuelled debate within the party.

BJP Uses Singh’s Remarks to Attack Congress

The BJP quickly seized on Singh’s comments to criticise the Congress. Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar accused the Congress of being controlled by a single family.

He was quoted by ANI as saying, “Digvijaya Singh understood the strength of an organisation right now, but the Congress has still not realised it. Congress disrespects the Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge every day. Congress is just limited to one family. In Congress, only members of one family have rights to make decisions within the party. A person who is working for the betterment of an organisation must be recognised and given opportunities to grow, a quality missing in Congress,”

BJP Leaders Target Rahul Gandhi

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi. He referred to former US president Barack Obama and claimed that Obama wrote in his book The Promised Land that,"wrote in his book "The Promised Land," in Chapter 24, wrote 'Rahul Gandhi has a nervous, uninformed quality about him as if he were a student who has done the coursework and was eager to impress the teacher, but deep down lacked either the aptitude

Another BJP leader, CR Kesavan, said Digvijaya Singh’s post had revealed what he described as the Congress party’s authoritarian style of functioning. He also questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would show the courage to respond publicly to the senior Congress leader’s remarks on social media.

Meanwhile, as Singh continued to press his demand for a stronger organisation and greater decentralisation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked him to pause. Sources said Kharge told Singh that he wanted to listen to other leaders at the meeting as well and consider their suggestions and views.