A fresh political controversy broke out on Monday after Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai used a toy Rafale fighter jet adorned with ‘nimbu-mirchi’ (lemon and green chillies) to criticise the Modi government’s response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at a press conference, Rai accused the Centre of inaction following the deadly attack. “Terrorist activities are on the rise, and our youth are paying the price with their lives. The government keeps boasting about Rafale jets, but they remain grounded with nimbu-mirchi hanging on them. When will action be taken against terrorists and their supporters?” Rai questioned, holding up the toy aircraft.

The use of ‘nimbu-mirchi’—a traditional charm in India believed to ward off evil—was a pointed reference to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s 2019 shastra puja in France, where he placed lemons under a Rafale jet as part of the ceremonial induction.

The BJP responded swiftly and sharply, accusing Rai and the Congress of undermining the morale of the armed forces.

“Ajay Rai, the UP Congress President, is trending in Pakistani media. This shows the Congress party's alignment with anti-national narratives,” BJP MP Nishikant Dubey posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a "conspiracy to weaken the morale of our forces."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala alleged the remarks were part of a pattern. “From Channi to Priyank Kharge, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, and now Ajay Rai – this is not a coincidence, but collaboration to demoralise our forces,” he said.

Echoing the criticism, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari claimed the Congress had become a "spokesperson of Pakistan" in India. “Rahul Gandhi’s close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces. This is the mindset of the Pakistani Congress,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar joined the attack, stating, “This toy Rafale is all the Congress will play with for the next 15 years. Anti-national statements are part of their DNA.”

Despite the backlash, Rai remained defiant. “The country has the right to ask: when will the government act against terrorism? Rajnath Singh himself used nimbu-mirchi on Rafale. I’m only asking when will we see that jet take flight against our enemies?” he said.

Rai also found support from within the Congress and allies in the INDIA bloc. Congress MP Imran Masood stated, “Now is the time to remove the nimbu-mirchi and send a message to Pakistan they’ll remember for generations.”

Samajwadi Party leader Ashutosh Verma criticised the BJP’s reaction. “If Rajnath Singh places nimbu-mirchi, it's tradition. If the opposition highlights it, it's anti-national? We want Rafale to be used effectively to respond to terrorism,” he said.