The BJP has alleged a rift between Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra following a controversy over the removal of photographs from an exhibition by Priyanka’s son, Raihan Vadra, at Bikaner House in New Delhi.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the issue, claiming that Priyanka was attempting to launch her son politically by creating a controversy. Rahul, who was reportedly on a personal visit to Vietnam, had not publicly commented on the matter at the time of reporting.
The BJP’s remarks came despite Rahul and Priyanka recently joining hands to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
What Is the Raihan Vadra Exhibition Controversy?
Raihan Vadra, an artist and photographer, alleged that the management of Bikaner House had asked him to remove or replace 74 of the 105 photographs planned for his exhibition, titled No Idea Is Final, shortly before its scheduled opening on October 21.
According to Raihan, only 35 frames remained when the exhibition opened. He said the photographs represented three years of work and that he had shared the exhibition layout with the venue on October 15, receiving an acknowledgement.
His father, Robert Vadra, also questioned the timing of the objections, stating that they were raised after Raihan had begun setting up the exhibition.
Bikaner House, however, said the photographs were found to be inconsistent with the venue’s policy.
BJP Questions the Exhibition Proposal
The BJP cited email exchanges between Raihan and Bikaner House, arguing that the initial proposal mentioned themes such as nature, wildlife, abstract artwork, portraits and sculptures, without explicitly referring to political content.
Bhandari claimed that the political photographs had been added later and alleged that the controversy was being used to promote Raihan’s political profile. The BJP also pointed to the venue’s reported acceptance of the initial proposal on June 30 and a subsequent notice dated October 21 requesting the removal of 74 photographs.
The party described the exchanges as evidence supporting its allegations against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the Congress.
Priyanka Gandhi Condemns the Removal of Photographs
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the removal of the photographs, describing it as an attempt to silence young voices. The controversy has triggered a political exchange between the BJP and the Congress, with questions raised over the venue’s exhibition policy and the circumstances surrounding the removal of the photographs.
While the BJP has portrayed Rahul Gandhi’s silence as evidence of a possible rift within the Gandhi family, the allegation remains a political claim and does not, by itself, establish a disagreement between the siblings.