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BJP Accuses Congress of 'Tax Theft', Raises Questions Over Priyanka Gandhi's Election Affidavit

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia addressing the media about alleged discrepancies in Priyanka Gandhi's election affidavit for the Wayanad by-poll, accusing the Congress party of corruption and tax evasion.

Priyanka Gandhi

In a fresh political attack, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress party of engaging in tax evasion and exploiting backward communities for political gain, with a specific focus on Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s recent nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll. The BJP has pointed out alleged discrepancies in her election affidavit, particularly concerning the assets and liabilities declared by her and her husband, Robert Vadra.

BJP's Allegations of Discrepancy in Declared Assets

During a press conference held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia took aim at Priyanka Gandhi, claiming that her nomination affidavit revealed inconsistencies in the assets declared. According to Bhatia, Robert Vadra’s declared assets are significantly lower than what is owed to the Income Tax (IT) department, which allegedly amounts to more than ₹80 crore. He further accused the couple of concealing wealth and manipulating financial disclosures.

Priyanka Gandhi's affidavit, submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), detailed movable assets worth ₹4.27 crore. These assets included investments in mutual funds, Public Provident Fund (PPF), various bank deposits, a Honda CRV gifted by her husband, and over 4,400 grams of gold valued at ₹1.15 crore. However, Bhatia alleged that these figures are not an accurate reflection of the Gandhi family’s true wealth and labeled the affidavit as evidence of widespread corruption.

BJP Criticizes Congress Leadership

The criticism extended beyond Priyanka Gandhi to encompass her entire family, with Gaurav Bhatia labeling Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi as 'fake Gandhis.' He claimed that the family had accumulated ill-gotten wealth through various means of corruption, pointing to their legal battles and ongoing cases as proof of their dishonesty. Bhatia also ridiculed Robert Vadra, referring to him as "Crime Master Gogo," a fictional character from the Bollywood film Andaz Apna Apna, insinuating that Vadra is known for taking advantage of every opportunity to profit.

“Robert Vadra’s declared net worth is far lower than what the IT department has demanded from him. This isn’t a simple oversight—this is corruption at its finest,” Bhatia asserted. He described Priyanka’s affidavit as a ‘confession of corruption,’ accusing the Gandhi family of dodging financial transparency.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Roadshow and the Political Backlash

Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll in Kerala, marking her debut in electoral politics. She was accompanied by senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Prior to filing her nomination papers, Priyanka led a massive roadshow in Kalpetta, Wayanad, where she received enthusiastic support from the crowd.

However, BJP leaders took the opportunity to criticize the optics of the event. Bhatia, while speaking to the media, questioned why Mallikarjun Kharge, a Dalit leader and Congress President, was allegedly sidelined during Priyanka’s nomination process. "There is a picture of the nomination room where Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra, Priyanka, their son Rehan, and Rahul Gandhi are all sitting inside, while Kharge is sitting outside. Is it a sin to be a Dalit in the Congress party?" Bhatia asked, drawing parallels to how previous Congress leaders like Sitaram Kesari and PV Narasimha Rao were treated.

He further accused the Congress of using Dalits and backward communities as political pawns, stating that the party has historically marginalized non-Gandhi leaders. “The message is clear: even the smallest member of the Gandhi family has more status than the Congress President,” Bhatia remarked.

BJP's Broader Allegations of Corruption

The BJP spokesperson went on to elaborate that the affidavit filed by Priyanka Gandhi is not voluntary but a legal obligation, enforced by a Supreme Court ruling that mandates candidates to declare their own and their relatives' assets. "The truth is coming out, and the people of this country are not blind to the corruption of the Gandhi family. Three of the Gandhi family members—Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Robert Vadra—are currently out on bail for various corruption charges," Bhatia emphasized.

The BJP's attack comes in the wake of increasing scrutiny over political candidates’ financial declarations and transparency. The ruling party has sought to paint the Congress, especially the Gandhi family, as corrupt and untrustworthy, accusing them of using their political influence for personal gain.

Congress Responds to Allegations

While the BJP continues to launch aggressive attacks, the Congress party has dismissed these claims as baseless and politically motivated. Congress leaders argue that the BJP is trying to divert attention from the real issues faced by the people, such as unemployment, inflation, and farmers' distress. They assert that Priyanka Gandhi's financial declarations are in full compliance with the law and accuse the BJP of launching personal attacks to tarnish her image ahead of the by-election.

A Political Battle Ahead

The allegations made by the BJP are likely to intensify the political battle as Priyanka Gandhi contests her first Lok Sabha election. With the Wayanad by-poll being viewed as a crucial test for both the Congress and the BJP, the scrutiny on financial transparency and the Gandhis’ political legacy is expected to dominate the discourse.

As the political climate heats up, both parties will continue to position themselves to gain the upper hand. While the BJP accuses Congress of corruption and tax evasion, the Congress will likely defend its stance and attempt to shift the focus to the issues affecting the everyday voter.

In the coming weeks, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the electoral outcome and whether Priyanka Gandhi can overcome the political narrative that the BJP has aggressively pushed against her family.


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