Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while campaigning in Indore, alleged that the Indian political system has been captured, suggesting a lack of independence in national institutions. This rhetoric was met with sharp criticism from the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, who labeled Gandhi a 'careless politician' for his remarks regarding the state of the country's governance.

In a separate development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has targeted Gandhi following the recent Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election results. The ABVP, a student organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), secured a significant victory in the polls. BJP representatives characterized this electoral outcome as a 'tight slap' to Gandhi, framing the student election results as a direct referendum on his political influence and leadership. While the Hindustan Times reports these events as distinct political developments, they reflect the ongoing friction between Gandhi’s critique of national systems and the BJP’s efforts to highlight his electoral setbacks.