Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit back at the BJP on Tuesday after party spokesperson Sambit Patra took a swipe at her over a viral photo of her carrying a bag on Parliament premises. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed had shared the image on social media, which quickly became the subject of political barbs.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra drew attention in Parliament on Monday when she arrived carrying a bag with the word "Palestine" prominently displayed.

The eye-catching accessory featured symbols of solidarity with Palestinians, including a watermelon — a widely recognized symbol of resistance in the region. Gandhi, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, has consistently expressed her opposition to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

At a press briefing, BJP leader Sambit Patra remarked, “The Gandhi family has always been carrying the bag of appeasement. The appeasement bag is the reason behind their rout in elections.”

Priyanka Gandhi responding to the comment said, “Tell them to do something over the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Talk to the Bangladesh government and not say stupid things.”

The political row comes just days after Priyanka Gandhi was seen wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, during a meeting with Palestine's embassy charge d'affaires Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer at her Delhi residence.

It took place after her victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, with a significant Muslim population. Jazer congratulated Gandhi and appealed to India to take leadership in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and to assist its reconstruction.

Priyanka Gandhi has been vocal in her criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza. Last October, she said Israel was violating international law, and earlier this year, she condemned the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the war was "barbaric".

In a July statement on X, she stated, “It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government's genocidal actions and force them to stop.”

Priyanka Gandhi’s vocal stance on Gaza has sparked both praise and criticism, particularly during her Wayanad election campaign. The seat was vacated by her brother, Rahul Gandhi, and she secured a major win. Throughout the campaign, she frequently criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and accused the Modi government of not doing enough to broker peace.