Congress has reignited the political battle over voter enrolment by invoking Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 electoral reform and drawing a sharp contrast with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the registration of young voters. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled that Parliament amended Article 326 in December 1988, reducing the minimum voting age from 21 to 18, and described the move as one that empowered India’s youth. The fresh attack comes amid the controversy surrounding the revision of electoral rolls and the enrolment of newly eligible 18-year-old voters. Ramesh has described the dispute as a “tale of two PMs”, contrasting Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to lower the voting age with what Congress alleges is an attempt to prevent newly eligible voters from entering the electoral rolls. Congress has also escalated its broader criticism of the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of a “diabolical design” against voters.

Rahul Gandhi launches a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, triggering another political showdown between the Congress and BJP. Speaking at a Congress event, Rahul Gandhi takes a swipe at Modi's foreign policy, mocking what he describes as "hugging people" diplomacy. A subsequent exchange involving Sandeep Dikshit and a reference to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sparks further controversy. The BJP hits back, accusing Rahul Gandhi of using "uncultured, crude and vulgar" language and demanding an apology.