BJP Says Congress Has Become 'Muslim League Maoist Congress'

BJP Attacks Congress Over Hamid Ansari's Remarks

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its criticism of the Congress following remarks by former Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Hindu nationalism and a historical observation attributed to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said on September 21 that Ansari's remarks had exposed what he described as the ideological position of the contemporary Congress. Trivedi alleged that the Congress had become a “Muslim League Maoist Congress” and claimed that the party had moved towards the “ultra-Left”.

The statement is a political characterisation by the BJP and does not represent an established description of the Congress's ideology.

What Did Sudhanshu Trivedi Say?

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Trivedi argued that Ansari's reference to Nehru's views demonstrated what he portrayed as a significant ideological shift within the Congress.

He said Ansari had effectively highlighted three issues: the Congress's alleged proximity to what Trivedi described as Muslim League and Maoist politics, the party's alleged movement towards communism, and the continued influence of Nehruvian thinking on the political discourse of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Trivedi also described the current Congress as having moved towards an “ultra-Left” position.

These statements were made as part of the BJP's political criticism of the opposition party.

Why Is Hamid Ansari at the Centre of the Row?

The controversy began after former Vice-President Hamid Ansari spoke at an event in New Delhi commemorating constitutional expert and author A G Noorani.

Ansari referred to Noorani's 2019 book, The RSS: A Menace to India, while discussing nationalism, communalism and political developments in India.

During the event, Ansari cited a historical observation attributed to Nehru concerning the relative threat posed by communism and Hindu right-wing communalism.

The BJP subsequently criticised Ansari's remarks and linked them to its argument about the ideological direction of the Congress.

What Was the Nehru Reference?

According to the account cited by Ansari, Nehru had expressed the view that the greater danger to India was Hindu right-wing communalism rather than communism.

The observation was reportedly recorded by former Foreign Secretary Jagat Singh Gundevia during a meeting of officers of the Ministry of External Affairs and later referred to in Noorani's book.

Ansari cited the historical reference while discussing concerns about communalism and the idea of civic nationalism.

The current political controversy therefore involves both a historical statement attributed to Nehru and contemporary disagreements over how that statement should be interpreted.

BJP Says Congress Has Moved Towards the 'Ultra-Left'

Trivedi argued that Nehru's historical position and the current political discourse of the Congress demonstrated what he considers to be an ideological shift.

He specifically alleged that the Congress had moved towards communism and the “ultra-Left”.

The BJP spokesperson also linked Rahul Gandhi's political statements to what he described as a continuing Nehruvian ideological legacy.

The Congress's own position on these characterisations would need to be considered separately from the BJP's allegations.

BJP Brings Up Congress-IUML Alliance

Trivedi's criticism also touched on the Congress's political relationship with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), particularly in Kerala.

BJP leaders have used the Congress's alliance with IUML to question the party's political positioning and secular credentials. UNI reported that Trivedi described the relationship as part of what he characterised as a problematic ideological alignment.

The Congress and its allies have their own political explanations for such electoral alliances, meaning the significance of the relationship remains part of the broader political debate.

What Did Hamid Ansari Say About Civic Nationalism?

Ansari's remarks were not limited to the Nehru reference.

He also discussed what he described as developments challenging the principle of civic nationalism, under which citizens are treated as equal irrespective of their religious identity.

His comments were made at the third A G Noorani Memorial Lecture at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi on September 18.

The BJP interpreted the remarks as evidence of an ideological position it strongly disagrees with.

BJP Leaders Criticise Ansari

Trivedi was not the only BJP leader to respond to Ansari.

BJP leaders criticised the former Vice-President's comments and questioned his interpretation of Hindu nationalism and communalism.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also criticised Ansari's remarks, saying they were contrary to Indian cultural and religious traditions. These comments represent political responses to Ansari's speech rather than judicial or independent findings about the issues being debated.

Rahul Gandhi Also Drawn Into the BJP's Criticism

Trivedi connected the controversy to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

He argued that Gandhi's political discourse has roots in what he described as Nehruvian ideology.

The BJP has frequently criticised the Congress leadership over its interpretation of nationalism, secularism and the legacy of India's first Prime Minister.

In the latest episode, those broader political disagreements were linked directly to Ansari's reference to Nehru.

Why the 'Muslim League Maoist Congress' Phrase Matters

The phrase used by Trivedi combines references to two very different political traditions — the Muslim League and Maoist or communist politics.

By using the expression, the BJP is alleging that the Congress has moved away from its traditional political positioning and towards a combination of identity-based and far-left ideological influences.

This is a rhetorical political description rather than a formal classification of the Congress party.

The controversy illustrates how historical references and ideological labels continue to feature prominently in political debates between the BJP and Congress.

The Broader Debate Over Nationalism

At the centre of the dispute is a larger disagreement over the meaning of nationalism in contemporary India.

The BJP has emphasised cultural and national identity in its political discourse, while Congress leaders have generally stressed constitutional values, pluralism and civic equality.

The latest exchange involving Ansari, Nehru and Noorani has brought these competing interpretations back into public debate.

The parties' differing interpretations should be distinguished from factual claims that can be independently established.

Historical References Become Part of Current Politics

The controversy also demonstrates how statements made by political leaders decades ago can become part of contemporary political arguments.

Nehru's views on communalism and communism have been debated by historians and political commentators for years. Ansari's decision to cite the historical observation brought the issue back into current political discourse.

The BJP's response then connected that historical reference to the Congress's present-day political positioning.

What Happens Next?

The political dispute is likely to continue as leaders from both sides respond to the comments.

The BJP is expected to use the episode to question Congress's ideological positioning, while Congress leaders may respond to the characterisation and defend their interpretation of nationalism and secular politics.

For now, the central issue remains a political exchange rather than a formal institutional determination about the Congress's ideology.

Key Points at a Glance

IssueDetailsBJP spokespersonSudhanshu TrivediParty criticisedCongressKey phrase“Muslim League Maoist Congress”Main triggerHamid Ansari's recent remarksHistorical figure discussedJawaharlal NehruBook referencedThe RSS: A Menace to IndiaMain ideological disputeNationalism, communalism and the LeftOther BJP leader respondingYogi AdityanathEvent where Ansari spokeA G Noorani Memorial LectureDate of Ansari's remarksSeptember 18, 2026

Bottom Line

BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi has accused the Congress of becoming a “Muslim League Maoist Congress”, arguing that the party has moved towards what he called an “ultra-Left” ideological position. His remarks followed former Vice-President Hamid Ansari's reference to a historical observation attributed to Jawaharlal Nehru concerning Hindu right-wing communalism and communism.

The BJP's comments are part of an ongoing political dispute over nationalism, secularism, communalism and the ideological direction of the Congress. Ansari's original remarks, Trivedi's interpretation of them and the BJP's broader characterisation of Congress represent different political positions and should not be treated as independent findings.