Rathore’s comment came during a public rally in Jaipur, where he pointed to Pakistan’s proximity and suggested that India would side with it if the United States and Pakistan went to war. The statement was immediately seized on by opposition leaders. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed branded him anti‑national, accusing the BJP of "love for the terrorist nation" and demanding action. Rathore later clarified that his remarks were distorted and made in the context of an India‑Pakistan cricket match, claiming only the last two lines were taken out of context. The controversy has intensified intra‑party tensions and could prompt a formal inquiry by the BJP’s national executive, while the opposition is calling for a probe into alleged disloyalty.