‘Stop Vulture Politics’: BJP Slams Congress's Udit Raj Over Remarks On Sunetra Pawar's Oath Taking

Last Updated:January 31, 2026, 20:57 IST

BJP slammed Congress over Udit Raj’s remarks on Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in after Ajit Pawar’s death, calling it “vulture politics” and demanding an apology for disrespect.

BJP slammed Congress over Udit Raj’s remarks on Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in after Ajit Pawar’s death, calling it “vulture politics” and demanding an apology for disrespect. (ANI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday hit back sharply at Congress over remarks by party leader Udit Raj on Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s swearing in within three days of Ajit Pawar’s death, accusing the Congress of indulging in what it called “vulture politics" and disrespecting both Maharashtra and a departed leader.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Udit Raj’s comments questioning the timing of Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking were “ghastly, hateful and deeply insensitive", especially after the tragic death of a senior Pawar family member.

Congress leader Udit Raj had earlier said that politics should pause during a mourning period and questioned the decision to go ahead with Ajit Pawar’s swearing-in, triggering sharp reactions from the BJP.

Poonawalla alleged that even before the current controversy, rumours surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death had been irresponsibly spread by leaders from the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party, forcing Sharad Pawar to publicly appeal against politicising a tragedy.

“Now, instead of restraint, we see Congress leaders making derogatory statements about the oath-taking ceremony. This is not just an insult to the Pawar family but an insult to Maharashtra and a departed soul," Poonawalla said.

Drawing a historical parallel, the BJP spokesperson recalled that after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister immediately. “Was that against Hindu customs? Was that disrespectful then?" he asked, accusing the Congress of selective outrage.

Poonawalla said the remarks exposed the Congress’s “giddh rajneeti" (vulture politics), alleging that the party was willing to exploit even death for political mileage. He demanded an apology from the Congress leadership, saying such statements demean democratic values and basic human decency.

News india ‘Stop Vulture Politics’: BJP Slams Congress's Udit Raj Over Remarks On Sunetra Pawar's Oath Taking

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