Video | Rahul Gandhi and Dinesh Pratap Singh get into heated exchange during Rae Bareli meeting

The argument broke out during a session of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Rae Bareli

A video has surfaced showing a heated exchange between Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh during a meeting in Rae Bareli. The clash took place while Rahul Gandhi was on a two-day visit to his constituency on September 10 to 11.

In the video, an argument broke out during a session of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Rae Bareli. Rahul Gandhi, who was presiding over the meeting, reminded Singh of protocol, saying:

“I am chairing this meeting. If you have something to say, ask first, and then I will give you a chance to speak.”

In the DISHA meeting, LoP Rahul Gandhi ji humbled down BJP minister Dinesh Pratap Singh.

The meeting, chaired by Rahul Gandhi ji was attended by MPs and MLAs from Amethi and Rae Bareli, including Singh. pic.twitter.com/tXzJSWovAg — India With Congress (@UWCforYouth) September 12, 2025

This remark angered the UP minister, who was seated right beside Gandhi. Singh shot back, insisting that while Rahul may be the chairman, he was not obliged to agree with everything Gandhi said. “You yourself do not even listen to the speaker,” Singh retorted, sparking a heated back-and-forth between the two. Singh can he heard objecting to the proceedings going against the DISHA guidelines.

Responding to his heated exchange with Gandhi, Singh told news agency PTI said, "In the DISHA meeting, the MP is the chair of the meeting of the constituency. As per the guidelines rural development department, implementation, supervising of 43 programmes is his responsibility. When Rahul Gandhi comes, he comes across as an owner, which was not acceptable to me."

He further said, "You will see myself supporting Rahul Gandhi when he does service to the people of Raebareli, but when he uses the platform to criticise the government, then I will be standing against him. I was expecting him to speak about DISHA meeting. Hence, I opposed."

Amethi MP KL Sharma, who was also present, joined in the exchange, backing Rahul Gandhi against Singh.

The confrontation began while discussions were underway on the jurisdiction and functioning of DISHA. Rahul Gandhi reportedly raised a query, suggesting Singh should have brought it up beforehand. Singh objected strongly, leading to the escalation that surprised officials and other representatives in attendance.

Dinesh Pratap Singh, once a member of the Congress party, switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2018. He has been a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council since 2010, first with Congress and, from 2022 onward, with the BJP.

Notably, Singh contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli against Sonia Gandhi, but lost by a margin of 1,67,178 votes.