Congress’s Secret Plan Near PM Modi’s Residence: How Rahul Gandhi Used Kharge's Birthday To Spring A Surprise Protest

Published 21 July 2026 · local

Congress’s Secret Plan Near PM Modi’s Residence: How Rahul Gandhi Used Kharge's Birthday To Spring A Surprise Protest Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Congress’s Secret Plan Near PM Modi’s Residence: How Rahul Gandhi Used Kharge's Birthday To Spring A Surprise Protest Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 19:41 IST Congress sprang a surprise by turning Mallikarjun Kharge's birthday gathering into a flash protest near PM Modi's residence, leaving security personnel scrambling. New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over police action during the march by protestors to Parliament yesterday over their What appeared to be a birthday gathering for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday turned into one of the party’s most unexpected political protests in recent years. Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, arrived at Kharge’s residence at 10, Rajaji Marg on Tuesday afternoon. Since Kharge turned 84 on July 21, it was widely assumed the leaders had gathered to celebrate the occasion. Instead, the Congress executed a surprise plan. Soon after assembling, the leaders left together and marched towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, located around 2.3 km away. The move caught the security personnel by surprise, who were not anticipating the Congress’s sudden change in plans. Flash protest catches security off guard After reaching the Prime Minister’s residence, the Congress leaders staged a sit-in and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged brutal crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Parliament march.

The unexpected protest prompted the government to send Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, to engage with the protesting leaders. However, Rahul Gandhi refused to end the protest and remained firm on the party’s stand. The demonstration marked a departure from the Congress’s usual style of protests. The party generally plans its agitations well in advance, informs the media and confines demonstrations largely to Parliament. This time, there were few signs of what was about to unfold. Original plan changed after leak According to reports, the Congress had initially planned to march to Vijay Chowk after Parliament was adjourned for the second consecutive day. However, that plan was reportedly leaked. Party leaders believed the police would stop them before they could stage the protest. Security arrangements across central Delhi had already been strengthened following Monday’s violent ‘Sansad Chalo’ march by the CJP, during which protesters clashed with security personnel near Parliament while the Monsoon Session was in progress. By Tuesday, the area had been turned into a heavily guarded zone. The Congress leadership then revised its strategy. Only a handful of senior leaders were aware of the new plan. Around 3 pm, MPs and senior leaders quietly gathered at Kharge’s residence under the pretext of attending his birthday lunch, attracting no suspicion from security personnel.