BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra on Saturday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party over their statements concerning Starlink’s entry into India. Raising questions about the opposition’s position on the satellite internet service, Patra accused Rahul Gandhi of adopting inconsistent standards and questioned his remarks on national security and the alleged dominance of a single individual in the country.
Addressing a press conference, Patra referred to social media posts by Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Supriya Shrinate, who had questioned how Airtel and Jio could announce agreements involving Starlink within 12 hours despite concerns being raised over the company.
The BJP leader also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s statements on Starlink and its potential implications for India’s national security.
Patra Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Stand on Starlink
According to Patra, Rahul Gandhi had welcomed Starlink’s entry into India while alleging that one individual dominated the country’s affairs. Patra questioned the Congress leader’s position and accused him of taking contradictory stands on the issue.
The BJP spokesperson also criticised Gandhi’s “Modi versus Mir Jafar” remark, escalating the political exchange between the BJP and the Congress.
Patra argued that the Congress leadership needed to explain its changing position on the entry of foreign satellite service providers into India.
BJP Leader Alleges Attempts to Gain Power Without Elections
During the press conference, Patra accused the opposition of attempting to create unrest on the streets and alleged that efforts were being made to gain power without going through elections.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi, he claimed that the Congress leader was following different standards in his pursuit of becoming Prime Minister. Patra further alleged that the opposition wanted to achieve its political objectives without putting in the necessary effort.
These remarks came amid an ongoing political exchange between the BJP and the Congress over Starlink, national security and the role of foreign companies in India’s telecommunications sector.
Patra Raises Questions Over Earlier Opposition Concerns
Patra also questioned why Rahul Gandhi’s position appeared different from the concerns raised in late 2025 over foreign companies launching satellite services in India.
He sought an explanation for what he described as a change in the Congress leader’s approach to the issue.
The BJP spokesperson further referred to an incident at Beraboi in Puri district, claiming that a stick had been presented to Mahatma Gandhi there.
The press conference added another dimension to the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress, with both sides debating Starlink’s entry into India and the broader questions surrounding national security and corporate influence.