Rahul Gandhi praises Bajaj, Hero, and TVS in Colombia; urges innovation over cronyism

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (File photo/PTI)

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi praised the performance of Indian automobile brands Bajaj, Hero, and TVS, stating that these companies are succeeding in Colombia through "innovation" rather than "cronyism."

In a post on X, he tweeted, "Proud to see Bajaj, Hero & TVS do so well in Colombia. This shows that Indian companies can win with innovation, not cronyism. Great job."

Proud to see Bajaj, Hero & TVS do so well in Colombia.

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Shows Indian companies can win with innovation, not cronyism.

Great job 👍 pic.twitter.com/174HNbF58X

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 3, 2025

However, his remarks have attracted strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking earlier at an event at EIA University in Colombia, Gandhi pointed out what he called "structural flaws" in India's governance and emphasised the importance of allowing the country's diverse traditions to thrive.

"India has strong capabilities in areas like engineering and healthcare, so I am very optimistic about the country. But at the same time, some flaws need to be corrected within our structure. The biggest challenge is the attack on democracy currently taking place in India," he said during his address.

Following his statements, the BJP has responded vigorously, labelling Gandhi's comments as "anti-India" and "insulting" to the nation. A BJP leader remarked that it is in Gandhi's nature to tarnish India's image abroad.

Rajasthan Minister of State (MoS) Jawahar Singh Bedham criticised Gandhi for his remarks about "attacks on democracy," claiming they reflect the character of the Leader of the Opposition in damaging India's international reputation. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of insulting India while abroad and defended the government against his accusations of a democratic crisis.

During a press conference, Prasad suggested that Gandhi's remarks stem from a desire for power. He further accused the Leader of the Opposition of "abusing" Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's development. "Rahul Gandhi is abroad. It would have been better if he had expressed goodwill, but instead, he is attacking India. He claims everything is baseless. He asserts that there is no democracy in India, but in reality, there is complete democracy. The issue with Rahul Gandhi is that he wants power," Prasad, a former Union Minister, stated.

"In Bogotá, Colombia, Rahul Gandhi claimed that there is no democracy in India and that people lack the freedom to speak. He continuously criticises PM Modi and the nation's development," he added. The BJP MP concluded by stating that the public would not support Gandhi if he continues to insult India during his foreign visits and noted that Gandhi’s admiration for China is evident in his claim that India cannot be a global power.

*With ANI input