The Indian National Congress, one of India’s oldest and most prominent political parties, has faced numerous controversies over its long history. While the party has been a key player in shaping India’s political landscape, it has not been immune to scandals, including those involving allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety. These incidents, often amplified by media scrutiny and political rivalries, have sometimes overshadowed the party’s contributions. Below is a detailed examination of ten notable sex scandals linked to Congress Party members, highlighting their impact on the party’s image and Indian politics. Note that some cases involve allegations that were not conclusively proven, and the information is drawn from available public sources up to April 30, 2025.
1. The ND Tiwari Controversy (2009)
Narayan Dutt Tiwari, a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, was embroiled in a major scandal in 2009. A sting operation by a Telugu news channel aired footage allegedly showing the 86-year-old Tiwari in a compromising position with three women at the Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad, where he was serving as Governor of Andhra Pradesh. The scandal shocked the nation due to Tiwari’s age and stature. He resigned from his gubernatorial post shortly after, citing health reasons, though the public widely attributed his exit to the scandal. The Congress leadership distanced itself from the issue, and Tiwari faded from active politics. The incident damaged the party’s moral standing, especially as it faced accusations of protecting its veterans.
2. Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s Alleged Video Scandal (2012)
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a prominent Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP, faced controversy in 2012 when a CD allegedly showing him in a compromising situation with a woman surfaced. The video, purportedly recorded by his driver, led to a legal and media storm. Singhvi claimed the video was doctored and filed a case to prevent its circulation, securing a court injunction. He temporarily stepped down as Congress spokesperson and head of the parliamentary standing committee on law and justice. While the authenticity of the video remained disputed, the scandal embarrassed the Congress, which was already grappling with corruption allegations during the UPA government’s second term.
3. Mahipal Maderna and the Bhanwari Devi Case (2011)
Mahipal Maderna, a Congress MLA from Rajasthan, was implicated in a sensational scandal involving the disappearance and alleged murder of nurse Bhanwari Devi. In 2011, a CD surfaced showing Maderna in a compromising position with Devi, who was reportedly blackmailing him for political favors. When Devi went missing, investigations pointed to Maderna and other Congress leaders. He was arrested, sacked from the Rajasthan cabinet, and later convicted in the murder case. The scandal rocked the Congress government in Rajasthan, exposing links between politics, crime, and exploitation, and severely dented the party’s image ahead of state elections.
4. Sanjay Nirupam’s Alleged Affair Rumors (2010)
Sanjay Nirupam, a Congress leader and former MP, faced allegations of an extramarital affair in 2010, which were widely circulated in Mumbai’s political circles. While no concrete evidence, such as videos or documents, emerged, the rumors gained traction through tabloids and opposition-driven whispers. Nirupam denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. The controversy fizzled out due to lack of substantiation but temporarily tarnished his reputation within the Congress, which was trying to maintain a clean image in Maharashtra. This case highlighted how unverified rumors could be weaponized against Congress leaders.
5. Pawan Bansal’s Staff Misconduct Allegations (2013)
Pawan Bansal, a Congress leader and former Railway Minister, was indirectly linked to a scandal in 2013 when his nephew was arrested in a cash-for-jobs scam. While the primary issue was corruption, media reports also alluded to allegations of inappropriate conduct by Bansal’s staff, including claims of exploiting their positions for personal favors. Though Bansal himself was not directly implicated in sexual misconduct, the broader controversy, combined with these whispers, forced his resignation from the cabinet. The scandal added to the Congress-led UPA government’s woes, as it faced mounting criticism for governance failures.
6. Jagdish Tytler’s Alleged Misconduct Rumors (2008)
Jagdish Tytler, a Congress leader implicated in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, faced unverified allegations of inappropriate behavior with women in 2008. These claims, largely propagated by political opponents and gossip columns, lacked solid evidence and never escalated to a formal investigation. Tytler dismissed them as attempts to defame him further amid his already controversial reputation. The Congress leadership avoided engaging with the rumors, but the episode added to Tytler’s negative public perception, reinforcing the party’s challenges in managing its tainted leaders.
7. The Gopal Kanda Connection (2012)
While Gopal Kanda was not a Congress member, his brief alliance with the Congress government in Haryana led to embarrassment for the party. Kanda, an independent MLA, was accused of abetting the suicide of Geetika Sharma, a former air hostess who alleged harassment by Kanda. The scandal, which involved allegations of sexual coercion, put the Congress government, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, in a difficult position due to its earlier support for Kanda. The party quickly distanced itself, but the association damaged its reputation, especially among women voters, at a time when gender issues were gaining prominence.
8. Ashok Chavan’s Staff Scandal (2014)
Ashok Chavan, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader, faced indirect scrutiny in 2014 when a member of his staff was accused of inappropriate conduct with a female colleague during a party event. The allegations, though not directly tied to Chavan, fueled media speculation about a culture of indiscipline within his team. Chavan, already under fire for the Adarsh housing scam, faced further criticism, and the Congress leadership had to manage the fallout to limit damage in Maharashtra. The incident underscored the party’s vulnerability to scandals involving its extended network.
9. The Karnataka MLA Scandal (2012)
In 2012, three Congress MLAs from Karnataka—Laxman Savadi, C.C. Patil, and Krishna Palemar—were caught watching pornographic videos in the state assembly during a session. The incident, captured by media cameras, sparked nationwide outrage and embarrassed the Congress, which was in opposition in Karnataka at the time. The MLAs resigned, and the party leadership condemned their actions, but the scandal reinforced perceptions of moral laxity among Congress politicians. It also gave the ruling BJP ammunition to attack the Congress’s credibility on governance and ethics.
10. Digvijaya Singh’s Personal Life Controversy (2014)
Digvijaya Singh, a senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, faced public scrutiny in 2014 over his relationship with journalist Amrita Rai, whom he later married. While not a scandal in the legal sense, the relationship, which began before Singh’s first wife’s death, drew significant media attention and criticism from opponents who accused him of impropriety. The Congress leadership remained largely silent, but the episode fueled gossip and temporarily distracted from the party’s political messaging during the 2014 general elections.
Impact on the Congress Party
These scandals, spanning over a decade, have had varying degrees of impact on the Congress Party. High-profile cases like those of ND Tiwari and Mahipal Maderna caused immediate political damage, leading to resignations and electoral setbacks. Others, such as the unverified rumors surrounding Sanjay Nirupam or Jagdish Tytler, created short-term embarrassment but faded due to lack of evidence. Collectively, these incidents have contributed to a narrative of moral and administrative weakness, often exploited by opponents like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to portray Congress as corrupt and decadent.
The party’s response has typically involved distancing itself from the accused, enforcing resignations, or relying on legal recourse to suppress damaging material, as seen in Singhvi’s case. However, the recurrence of such scandals has highlighted the need for stricter internal mechanisms to vet leaders and address allegations promptly. In an era of social media and 24/7 news cycles, even unproven allegations can cause lasting damage, as seen in the Digvijaya Singh episode.
Sex scandals involving Congress Party leaders reflect a broader challenge faced by political entities in managing personal conduct in public life. While some cases, like the Bhanwari Devi murder, had criminal implications, others were more about public perception and political opportunism. The Congress has struggled to shake off the fallout from these controversies, which have often overshadowed its policy initiatives. Moving forward, the party must prioritize transparency, accountability, and proactive measures to prevent such incidents, ensuring that its leaders uphold the values it claims to represent. These scandals serve as a reminder that in politics, personal failings can have far-reaching consequences for a party’s credibility and electoral prospects.