CPI(M)'s John Brittas criticizes Rahul's Germany trip, questions opposition's seriousness
What's the story
Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas has criticized Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi for their recent actions in Parliament. He was particularly upset with Priyanka's attendance at a "chai pe charcha" or tea party, hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the Winter Session. The event also saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and others in attendance.
Criticism voiced
Brittas criticizes Priyanka's tea party attendance
Brittas said the tea party "sent a wrong message" to the public, coming just hours after the BJP "bulldozed" the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). "This has been a matter of concern...It was not a good scene...to see Priyanka Gandhi and others sitting at the tea party along with the Prime Minister," he said. He recalled how his party stayed away from similar meetings in the past over issues such as the SIR and the Waqf Bill.
Twitter Post
Brittas criticizes Congress leadership
#WATCH | Delhi | CPI-M MP John Brittas says, "... This has been a matter of concern for people like us... It was not a good scene for us to see Priyanka Gandhi and others sitting at the tea party along with the Prime Minister. We would have expected better wisdom to guide them. I… https://t.co/X9RF5juD7Y pic.twitter.com/GYC1URN6g9
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2025
Absence questioned
Brittas questions Rahul's absence from Parliament
Brittas also questioned Rahul's absence from Parliament during the Winter Session. He said, "Why travel abroad when the Parliament session is on?" Rahul was in Germany on a five-day trip where he met former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, among others, to discuss mutual interest issues.
Party stance
Brittas distances CPI(M) from endorsing 'such bonhomie'
Brittas also distanced the CPI(M) from endorsing "such bonhomie," which he said was detrimental to the unity of the INDIA bloc and the betterment of poor people in India. He called Priyanka's tea meeting with PM Modi a "humongous issue" compared to past events. The Winter Session saw 10 government bills introduced, eight of which were passed, including reforms in the civil nuclear, insurance, and healthcare sectors.