Storm Modi sweeps Bengal
According to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP had won 176 seats and was leading in nearly 32 constituencies as counting progressed across 293 Assembly segments till 9.30 p.m.
The political storm over the Youth Congress’ shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit has intensified after senior Congress leader Margaret Alva publicly stressed that “dignity” and “discipline” must be upheld at international events. Her remarks were quickly weaponised by the BJP.
Alva’s intervention has added a new dimension to the controversy, as the criticism now appears to be coming from within the Congress ranks.
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“I think during international events, dignity should be maintained, discipline should be maintained and there should be a sense of responsibility,” Alva said in Bengaluru on Sunday while responding to questions on the Youth Congress protest at Bharat Mandapam.
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Shehzad Poonawalla targets Congress leadership
Reacting to Alva’s remarks, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress leadership.
In a post on X, he wrote:
“Now even VP candidate of Indi alliance and senior congress leader slams Lashkar e Rahul for shirtless characterless act.”
He added:
“Rahul congress has become ally less after topless act.”
Now even VP candidate of Indi alliance and senior congress leader slams Lashkar e Rahul for shirtless characterless act
On the Youth Congress protest at the India AI Summit, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Margaret Alva says, “I think at international events… pic.twitter.com/GdjuZChnsJ
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) February 23, 2026
Protest at global AI summit sparks row
The February 20 protest took place inside Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit, which was attended by delegates from several countries and focused on India’s advancements and global cooperation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Youth Congress members staged a shirtless protest and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government over alleged “unemployment, inflation and the reported India-US trade deal”.
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of disrupting a major international event. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that the protest reflected poorly on India’s global image.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticised the demonstration while addressing a public gathering in Meerut.
“Today, Indians are working hard to achieve the resolution of a Viksit Bharat. However, there are some political parties in the country that are not able to digest the country’s progress. Just a few days ago, India hosted the world’s largest AI Summit… There hadn’t been such a historic event in any developing country. I ask you, were you not proud of this AI Summit?” he said.
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