BJP, Congress clash over funding for Rahul Gandhi's Pune student event

The BJP and Congress on Saturday traded sharp accusations over the funding of an event featuring Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Pune, with the ruling party alleging that attendees were paid and the opposition dismissing the claim as a sign of political anxiety.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP's Maharashtra headquarters in Mumbai, party spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that the Congress had spent nearly ₹10 crore to buy attendance for the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme, paying up to ₹35,000 per social media influencer to promote the event and mobilise crowds.

Ban dubbed the programme 'Paise Ki Goonj' instead of 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', claiming that videos had surfaced showing offers of ₹30,000 to ₹35,000 to influencers, including travel expenses, to attend and publicise the event online. He said if around 3,000 people were paid such amounts, the total expenditure could range between ₹9 crore and ₹10 crore.

“The programme is not 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' but 'Paise Ki Goonj'. The Congress is gathering crowds with money,” Ban alleged. He demanded a detailed investigation into the source of the funds, questioning whether the money had any link to foreign funding or funds diverted through contracts, commissions, or other financial transactions in Congress-ruled states. He also sought an inquiry into the organisations and individuals allegedly involved in distributing the money.

BJP Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhyay alleged that Gandhi's Pune programme was an attempt to create a political platform using students' issues. “Though the programme is called 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', it is actually Rahul Gandhi's political battle,” Upadhyay said, claiming that Gandhi had lost 100 elections and had failed to find a clear political direction. He added that Gandhi had not been able to find a concrete issue against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant hit back, claiming that the BJP was “rattled” by the growing response Gandhi was receiving from the youth, particularly Gen-Z. He accused the ruling party of trying to create obstacles for the Pune event. Sawant compared BJP leaders' apprehension of Gandhi to the fear that Mughal forces had of Maratha warriors Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav.

“The BJP has become so rattled by Rahul Gandhi that its leaders perhaps see him in their dreams, just as Santaji and Dhanaji appeared in the dreams of Mughal forces,” Sawant said in a statement. He also alleged that authorities in Uttar Pradesh had released sewage water near the venue of Gandhi's programme in Prayagraj to discourage youngsters from attending. He further claimed that the Maharashtra government had imposed several restrictions on the Pune event and that members of the ABVP had indulged in “high-handedness” on Friday.

“No matter how much they protest or try to create obstacles, Gen Z will tell the country that the BJP has been rejected,” Sawant said, adding that Gandhi would continue on his political course.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) leader Mahesh Tapase accused the ABVP of creating hurdles for students participating in the event.

Gandhi is slated to hold the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event, dedicated to female students, in Pune on Saturday. The allegations and counter-allegations come amid a political battle between the two parties over outreach to young voters.