In a blistering counterattack, BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of peddling falsehoods on India’s textile industry via his X platform rant. Gandhi warned of devastation from US tariffs hitting 50 percent, claiming factory closures and unemployment signal a collapsing economy.
Ilmi, addressing IANS in New Delhi, dismissed Gandhi as clueless. ‘He doesn’t read, doesn’t comprehend. Skip the newspapers; just Google India’s textile success story,’ she advised sarcastically.
The BJP leader credited GST 2.0 updates in September 2025 for rationalizing textile duties, unlocking investments and reversing Congress-era decline. ‘Exports are booming under Modi government. Gandhi’s ‘dead economy’ trope is for overseas applause, ignoring soaring GDP figures,’ Ilmi asserted.
Delving deeper into Congress infighting, Ilmi attributed Gandhi’s snub of Shashi Tharoor in Kerala campaigns to deep-seated insecurity. ‘He’s edging out seniors like Tharoor, who stood firm with India’s foreign policy and military during Operation Sindoor. This disarray screams leadership failure,’ she analyzed.
Ilmi reserved her strongest words for Mamata Banerjee’s self-comparison to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. ‘One fought for independence, igniting youth fervor. The other undermines constitutional bodies, clashes with agencies, and disregards decorum. How can anyone equate them? It’s beyond parody,’ she remarked, painting a vivid picture of political hypocrisy.