Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister criticises Rahul for not taking off his shoes while paying tribute to Indira Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in Bhopal on June 3, 2025. photo: X/@INCIndia via PTI

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday (June 3, 2025) targeted senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for not removing his shoes while offering tribute at a statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saying it was against their culture.

Mr. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, arrived in Bhopal on Tuesday (June 3, 2025) on a one-day visit to the State.

After reaching the State capital, the former Congress president paid tribute at a life-size statue of Indira Gandhi located in front of the State party headquarters.

Later, a video of the programme was widely shared on various social media platforms, wherein the Parliamentarian was seen offering floral tributes while wearing shoes.

Talking to reporters after attending a meeting at the State Bharatiya Janata (BJP) Party office, Chief Minister Yadav targeted Mr. Gandhi over this.

"The Leader of Opposition has come to our State. He should come. It is a democracy. Everyone has the right to come. He offered floral tribute to his Dadi ji [grandmother] and did not remove his shoes. This did not suit me. This is against our sanskar [culture]. He should take care of this."

Mr. Gandhi arrived in Bhopal to participate in several meetings and will also inaugurate the Congress' 'Sangthan Srujan Abhiyan' (Organisation Rejuvenation Campaign), aimed at strengthening the party at the grassroots level ahead of the 2028 State Assembly polls.

Published - June 03, 2025 04:08 pm IST