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The Italian politician’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP and the BRS, who slammed the Congress for allowing a foreign leader to comment on India’s internal affairs.
Rahul Gandhi (R) applauded when Giacomo Filibeck made the “vote chori” remark. (IANS photo)
A political controversy has erupted in Telangana after Italian politician Giacomo Filibeck raised the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” (Vote Thief, Leave Your Seat) during the Congress’s Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad.
His comments drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), who slammed the Congress for allowing a foreign leader to comment on India’s internal affairs.
‘Isn’t It Treason…?’: BJP, BRS On Filibeck’s Remarks
Filibeck, who serves as the Secretary General of the Party of European Socialists, made the comment in reference to the ongoing ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rollsin the presence of Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
If it is not treason to mock our country’s democracy with foreign leaders and proudly applaud their comments then what is it?Rahul Gandhi is no longer behaving like an Indian leader. In the eyes of the foreign masters, they are being treated like puppets who follow their orders. https://t.co/ZlBevNAJSv
— N Ramchander Rao (@N_RamchanderRao) November 14, 2026
In a post on X, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao criticised the Congress for allowing “foreign leaders to mock our country’s democracy“. He also questioned whether such an act amounted to “treason” and targeted Gandhi over the incident.
At A Glance
Rahul Gandhi made a remark about a vote thief at a Congress event.
Foreign leaders were present at the Congress event.
The BJP and BRS slammed Rahul Gandhi over his remarks.
He further claimed that the Congress leader “no longer” behaves like an Indian leader.
“Isn’t it treason to let foreign leaders mock our country’s democracy and proudly applaud their remarks? Rahul Gandhi no longer behaves like an Indian leader. He is acting like a puppet under the watchful eyes of his foreign masters, dancing to their orders,” Rao tweeted.
BRS leader and National Media Panelist Karthik Indra Reddy Patlolla also criticised the Congress over Filibeck’s remarks. Taking to X, he questioned why a foreign politician was being allowed to comment on India’s domestic political issues and accused Gandhi of encouraging the statement.
“Make a Foreign White Politician comment on the India’s internal political matter while your leader seems giggling gleefully enjoying the comment !! Great strategy bro @INCIndia,” Patlolla tweeted.
What Did Italian Politician Say At Bharat Summit?
Addressing the gathering, Filibeck praised Gandhi for raising concerns over electoral rolls and defending the principle of “one person, one vote”. He also referred to the march organised by opposition leaders and supporters at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan two weeks ago.
“As the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi has defended a simple principle on which every democracy rests: one person, one vote. His campaign for clean and transparent voter rolls, and the thousands who marched with him to Ramlila Maidan just two weeks ago, remind us that democracy is not given, it is defended by people willing to stand up for it. Vote chor, gaddi chhod…” Filibeck said.
He also repeated the slogan in English, saying, “Vote Thief, Leave Your Seat.”
Quick Answers
Ask News18Italian politician Giacomo Filibeck raised the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” and its English translation “Vote Thief, Leave Your Seat” during the Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad.
Ask News18About the Author
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More
November 14, 2026, 9:33 PM IST
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