Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan sparks controversy by questioning whether the U.S. could conduct a Venezuela-like operation in India amid tariff threats and rising India–US trade tensions, drawing sharp backlash from the BJP and political analysts.
A major political controversy erupted on Tuesday after senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan made a provocative statement comparing India’s situation to Venezuela and questioning whether the United States could carry out a similar operation against India’s leadership.
Chavan raised a rhetorical but explosive question: “Will something like what happened in Venezuela happen in India? Will Mr Trump kidnap our Prime Minister?” The remark immediately ignited sharp reactions across the political spectrum, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a fierce counterattack against the Congress leader.
Chavan’s comments alluded to recent global controversies involving alleged U.S. actions against foreign leaders, particularly in Venezuela. By invoking such a scenario in the Indian context, the Congress leader has triggered a debate that blends national sovereignty, foreign policy, and domestic political rivalry.
The BJP strongly condemned the statement, calling it “irresponsible,” “anti-national,” and “dangerously misleading.” Party leaders accused Chavan and the Congress of undermining India’s democratic institutions and armed forces by suggesting that India could be vulnerable to foreign military or intelligence operations.
Political observers noted that this is not the first time Prithviraj Chavan has courted controversy. In the past, he has questioned the effectiveness of India’s armed forces and raised doubts about military operations, including Operation Sindoor. These past remarks have often drawn criticism from both political opponents and sections of the public, who accuse him of weakening national morale.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions following his latest statement. Hashtags criticizing the Congress leader trended rapidly, with many users accusing him of spreading fear and speculative narratives. Several commentators mocked the suggestion as unrealistic, while others expressed concern over the potential diplomatic implications of such remarks.
Chavan later linked his comments to ongoing trade tensions between India and the United States. He referred to reports of the U.S. President allegedly threatening to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi fails to align with Washington’s expectations. According to Chavan, a proposed 50 percent tariff hike would severely damage bilateral trade.
“With a 50 percent tariff, trade is simply not possible. In effect, this amounts to blocking India–U.S. trade, especially exports from India to the United States. Since a direct ban cannot be imposed, tariffs have been used as a tool to stop trade. India will have to bear this,” Chavan said.
Economists have warned that any drastic tariff escalation could hurt Indian exporters, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, information technology, and engineering goods. However, government sources have consistently maintained that India will protect its economic interests and negotiate from a position of strength.
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The controversy comes at a sensitive time, as India navigates complex geopolitical challenges while preparing for upcoming electoral battles. Analysts believe such remarks could further polarize political discourse and shift focus away from policy-driven debates.
As reactions continue to pour in, the statement has once again highlighted the sharp ideological divide between the ruling party and the opposition, underscoring how foreign policy issues are increasingly being pulled into domestic political confrontations.
