Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi surprised many by naming former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh as his favourite leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during an interactive “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram. Responding to a question from followers, Gandhi said he shares a good rapport with Amarinder Singh and described him as “cool.” He also praised Singh’s deep knowledge of military history, ending his response with a friendly greeting, “Hello, Uncle Amarinder.” Amarinder Singh, who served as Punjab Chief Minister while in the Congress, joined the BJP in 2022 after resigning from the Congress following differences with the party leadership.

During the session, Rahul Gandhi also answered several questions on student protests, India’s education system and women’s rights. Referring to the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand, he said governments at both the Centre and the states should listen to students’ concerns and introduce meaningful reforms. Gandhi argued that the country’s education system has become unaffordable and oppressive, while also alleging that it discourages independent thinking. He further said women deserve equal opportunities in every sphere of society and stressed the need for greater respect and representation in education and the workplace.

The Instagram interaction was part of Rahul Gandhi’s latest outreach to younger voters and came shortly after he met students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The Congress leader also responded to lighter questions during the session, joking that no one had ever seen him and Batman in the same room when asked if he was the fictional superhero. The online Q&A reflects the growing use of social media platforms by political leaders to engage directly with Gen Z audiences, with both the Congress and the BJP increasingly relying on digital platforms to connect with young voters.