A political slugfest erupted in Uttar Pradesh on Friday (May 23, 2026) over Uttar Pradesh Congress unit president Ajay Rai’s alleged controversial comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The incident, captured while Mr. Rai was in a vehicle, gained traction on social media with Mr. Rai seen greeting a group of supporters while making the alleged remark, which drew severe backlash from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Leaders from the party circulated the video online, accusing the Congress leader of exceeding all bounds of political decorum.

“The indecent, unparliamentary and unforgivable remarks made by the Uttar Pradesh Congress President about the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji reveal the political bad habits of the Congress. In the past, the ‘crown prince’ of Congress has also shown his bad manners. Congress has now reached the highest level of frustration, disappointment, frustration and mental bankruptcy. Now they are not even in a position to apologize to the countrymen,” wrote Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said, “Using abusive and indecent language against our Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, has become a symbol of the political frustration and despair of the Congress leaders. First, Rahul Gandhi and now the Uttar Pradesh Congress President have used indecent language, providing concrete evidence of their political defeats and their desperation. The Congress leaders’ vulgar, unparliamentary, and inexcusable remarks reflect their political misconduct. They should apologize to the entire nation for their foul language. The people of the country will surely respond to their frustrated remarks,”.

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Mr. Rai, dubbed the video AI-generated, aimed at tarnishing his image. “This video is generated by the IT cell of the BJP through AI. In my entire political career of over 35-years, I have maintained dignity in politics. I went to meet the family member of a 16-year-old Dalit girl who faced atrocities by feudal elements, fearing the Congress's continuous fight against injustice, the BJP is doing propogenda,” told Mr. Rai to The Hindu.