By Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has found himself at the center of a political storm after making a sensational statement claiming that a Rafale fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan during the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The controversial claim, made during a Congress event, has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which retaliated with an unexpected and mocking reference to “Miss World.”
The Controversial Claim
During a public address in Telangana, CM Revanth Reddy stated that a Rafale aircraft was downed by Pakistan, questioning the Modi-led central government’s defense preparedness.
He said, “What is the use of spending thousands of crores on Rafale jets if they are being shot down? Why buy aircraft that cannot withstand enemy fire?” The comment was made in reference to India’s 2019 Balakot airstrike response following the Pulwama terror attack.
However, critics were quick to point out that the aircraft shot down was not a Rafale but a MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later captured and returned by Pakistan. India’s Rafale fleet only arrived later in 2020 from France.
BJP Slams “Ignorant and Misleading” Statement
Reacting strongly, BJP spokespersons slammed Revanth Reddy, accusing him of spreading misinformation and insulting the Indian Air Force (IAF). Union Minister Kiren Rijiju called the statement “an embarrassment for a sitting Chief Minister” and questioned whether the Congress party endorsed such views.
The Telangana BJP unit was equally scathing, stating:
“This is what happens when leaders try to speak on national defense without knowing facts. Rafale jets were not even inducted during the Balakot strikes. Such baseless remarks damage national morale.”
“Miss World” Reference: BJP’s Sarcastic Response
Adding a touch of sarcasm, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted:
“According to Revanth Reddy’s level of understanding, probably Miss World won the Kargil War and not the Indian Army!”
This unusual analogy quickly caught fire on social media, with users mocking the Congress leader’s factual inaccuracy. The BJP used the phrase to suggest that Reddy’s logic was so flawed, he might as well claim beauty queens fought wars instead of trained soldiers.
Congress Defends Reddy, Alleges Distraction Tactics
In response, Telangana Congress leaders defended Revanth Reddy, claiming the statement was being taken out of context. They argued that the CM was emphasizing the lack of transparency and rising defense expenditures under the BJP-led Centre.
Party spokesperson Dasoju Sravan said,
“Revanth Reddy was pointing to the flaws in defense procurement and national security strategy. Instead of answering, BJP is resorting to mockery and memes to avoid accountability.”
The Congress also alleged that BJP was using patriotism as a shield to cover up real questions about the Rafale deal’s pricing and lack of offsets.
Social Media Erupts
The exchange quickly turned into a trending topic online. Hashtags like #RafaleReality, #MissWorldLogic, and #RevanthBlunder began trending on X (formerly Twitter). Memes flooded the platform, some targeting Reddy’s gaffe and others mocking BJP’s sarcastic comeback.
Prominent defense analysts also stepped in, clarifying that India’s Rafale jets had not been deployed during the Balakot airstrikes and were delivered months later after extensive pilot training and trials.
Political Implications Ahead of Local Polls
The timing of the controversy is critical, as Telangana heads toward important local body elections. Observers believe both BJP and Congress are intensifying their rhetoric to win public support and set the narrative.
While BJP is trying to paint Congress as “anti-national” and uninformed, the Congress is pushing back by portraying the BJP as arrogant and dismissive of state issues.
Political analyst Prof. Ramesh Kandula noted,
“Such verbal duels are part of political strategy. But this one may backfire on Revanth Reddy unless his party quickly corrects the narrative with clarity and facts.”
Final Words: Facts Matter
At the heart of the debate lies the need for accurate information and responsible public statements, especially from those in high office. The IAF’s bravery during the 2019 conflict is well documented, and conflating aircraft types only adds to public confusion.
As the controversy continues, one thing is clear: national defense remains a sensitive subject, and any misstatement is bound to evoke strong reactions — especially in an era of high-stakes politics and viral social media.
