Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday drew a controversial parallel between the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and growing public anger against US President Donald Trump, while also claiming that a similar sentiment exists against the Centre in India.
The remarks came in the backdrop of a security breach during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC, where a gunman allegedly opened fire before being overpowered. While no harm came to Trump or other top leaders, the incident has triggered political reactions in India.
Addressing reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar said the attack reflected public backlash against Trump’s policies and conduct. He accused the US President of destabilising global peace and dragging his country into conflicts in West Asia.
“As you sow, so shall you reap. As one does, so shall they pay… Today, Trump has ruined the whole of America to fulfil his plans and satisfy his desires,” Wadettiwar said.
‘Public anger exists in India too’: Wadettiwar
The Congress leader extended his criticism to domestic politics, suggesting that discontent against the central government is present but not visibly expressed through protests.
“Just as it is happening in our country, it happened there as well… People took to the streets to oppose him; now they are not coming out in India… But the same feeling exists among the people today,” he added.
However, Wadettiwar also said that such acts of violence should not occur against a person holding a high constitutional office.
“What happened with Trump should not have happened to a person sitting in that supreme position. But as one acts, the public will give the answer,” he said.
#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra | Speaking on the attack on US President Trump, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar yesterday said, “Jaisi karni waisi bharni. The way he has disturbed each country in the world despite being in the top post…Today, Trump has ruined the US to fulfil his… pic.twitter.com/4dUKuv408s
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2026
BJP hits back, calls remarks ‘insult to Constitution’
The remarks drew a sharp response from BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, who accused the Congress of crossing the line in its opposition to the government.
In a strongly worded reaction, Poonawalla said the Congress was indulging in “desh virodh” while opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Only because they oppose the BJP, they will oppose even somebody who is in a constitutional position and suggest that such things should happen,” he said.
He also invoked the party’s past, stating that the Congress had “lost a Prime Minister to the bullets of terrorists” and yet was making such statements. “This is not ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’. This is ‘samvidhan ka apmaan’ and ‘nafrat ke bhaijaan’. This is the true face of the Congress party,” he added.
Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
According to officials, the incident took place during the annual event in Washington DC on Saturday evening. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly breached security and fired shots before being subdued.
Authorities confirmed that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were safely evacuated. A security officer sustained injuries in the incident.
Political temperature rises over public sentiment narrative
The exchange has once again highlighted the sharp political divide, with both sides framing the debate around public sentiment and the nature of opposition politics in the country.
While the Congress leader’s remarks sought to draw a parallel between public anger in the US and India, the BJP has positioned the statement as irresponsible and an affront to constitutional values.