BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Rahul of “hypocrisy” with the Telangana government paying the “ultimate tribute” to Trump by naming a road after him. Photo: PTI
Trump at centre of Indian political row again, this time over Hyderabad road
A Hyderabad road named after Donald Trump has sparked a BJP-Congress clash, with the BJP accusing Rahul Gandhi of double standards
US President Donald Trump is once again at the Centre of a feud in Indian politics. This time, not because of his much-debated tariffs, but because of a road named after him in Hyderabad. The road near the US Consulate in the city, renamed as Donald Trump Avenue, has prompted a “hypocrisy” jibe by the BJP against Rahul Gandhi, which pointed out his past criticism of Trump.
The saffron party asked why the Congress government in Telangana was naming a road after Trump when Rahul had earlier accused him of acting against India’s interests. Taking to X, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Rahul of “hypocrisy” with the Telangana government paying the “ultimate tribute” to Trump by naming a road after him.
Trump road, Rahul jab
"Rahul Ki Hypocrisy Pro Max. Rahul Gandhi says President Trump is hurting Indian Interests. Then why is his government in Telangana giving the ultimate tribute to him by renaming a road after him?" stated Poonawalla.
Also Read: Hyderabad road to be renamed ‘Donald Trump Avenue’
Taking a dig at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the BJP leader argued that he does not take Rahul seriously, adding that earlier he had also brushed aside the former Congress President’s criticism of the Adani Group and signed an MoU with it.
"So Revanth Reddy basically doesn't take Rahul Baba seriously? He did the same when Rahul was chanting Adani Adani... He went and did an MoU with Adani group," Poonawalla added.
Rahul’s criticism of Trump
The BJP's attack on Rahul came against the backdrop of his earlier criticism of the Centre's engagement with the Trump administration.
Earlier this year, the Congress leader had accused the Narendra Modi government of compromising India's interests during trade negotiations with the US, alleging that it had made excessive concessions.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi says Trump right on making 'dead economy' remark about India
He had also urged Washington to deal with India "as equals" and questioned the government's handling of the country's economic priorities.
The backdrop
The development comes a day after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka unveiled a plaque marking the renaming of a road near the US Consulate in Hyderabad as "Donald Trump Avenue".
According to the US Consulate, the move recognises the US and reflects Hyderabad's growing importance in India-US ties. Thanking the Telangana government for the gesture, Gor said it symbolised the strong partnership championed by President Trump.
He also highlighted Hyderabad's role in driving strategic, technology and investment cooperation between the two countries.