Archive · 22 Aug 2026
BJP Questions Funding for Rahul Gandhi’s Pune Event
Rahul Gandhi planned a student programme called “Chhatron Ki Goonj” in Pune.
The event was meant especially for female students and was scheduled for Saturday.
The BJP gave it another name, “Paise Ki Goonj.”
It accused Congress of paying social media influencers to bring people to the programme.
The BJP said influencers may have been offered Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 each.
It estimated that the total spending could be as much as Rs 10 crore and asked where the money came from.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant rejected the claims and said the BJP was worried about Gandhi’s support among young people.
Other opposition leaders also accused authorities and ABVP members of making it harder for students to attend.
These claims and counterclaims were made before the event and were not independently established in the reports.
The BJP dubbed Rahul Gandhi’s Pune student programme “Paise Ki Goonj” and alleged that Congress paid influencers to mobilise attendees.
BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban claimed influencers were offered Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 each, including travel expenses and online promotion.
Ban estimated that paying about 3,000 people could cost Rs 9 crore to Rs 10 crore and demanded an investigation into the funds.
The BJP questioned whether the money came from foreign funding or contracts and commissions in Congress-ruled states.
Congress and NCP (SP) leaders rejected the allegations, saying the BJP was threatened by Gandhi’s youth support and had created obstacles to the event.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, the BJP, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban, BJP leader Keshav Upadhyay, and NCP (SP) leader Mahesh Tapase.
- What
- A political dispute over BJP allegations that Congress paid influencers and others to attract crowds to Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” student event.
- When
- The statements were made on Saturday, August 22, before the event scheduled for that day.
- Where
- The programme was scheduled in Pune; the BJP press conference was held at its Maharashtra headquarters in Mumbai.
- Why
- The BJP questioned the event’s funding and political purpose, while Congress and NCP (SP) leaders said the BJP feared Gandhi’s growing support among young people.
BJP’s Claims
Congress and Allies’ Response
Crowd mobilisation
BJP’s Claims
The BJP alleged that Congress paid influencers and attendees to create the appearance of spontaneous support for Rahul Gandhi.
Congress and Allies’ Response
Congress and its allies said the event was receiving genuine interest from young people and that the BJP was alarmed by Gandhi’s growing influence among Gen Z.
Funding
BJP’s Claims
The BJP claimed the payments could total Rs 9 crore to Rs 10 crore and questioned whether the money came from foreign funding or contracts and commissions in Congress-ruled states.
Congress and Allies’ Response
Congress and NCP (SP) leaders rejected the BJP’s framing and did not accept the allegation that the event’s support was bought.
Purpose of the programme
BJP’s Claims
BJP leader Keshav Upadhyay said the student event was actually Rahul Gandhi’s political platform and alleged that Gandhi lacked a clear political direction.
Congress and Allies’ Response
Congress and NCP (SP) leaders described the programme as a forum to raise issues affecting students and youth through dialogue.
Obstacles to attendance
BJP’s Claims
The BJP’s public statements focused on alleged financial issues and called for an inquiry into the source and distribution of funds.
Congress and Allies’ Response
Sachin Sawant and Mahesh Tapase alleged that authorities, Maharashtra government restrictions, and ABVP members created hurdles for students attending the event.
- Event
- “Chhatron Ki Goonj,” a student outreach programme dedicated specifically to female students
- BJP label
- “Paise Ki Goonj”
- Alleged payment
- Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 per social media influencer, including travel expenses
- Estimated spending
- Rs 9 crore to Rs 10 crore for approximately 3,000 people, according to the BJP
- Congress response
- Sachin Sawant said the BJP was rattled by Gandhi’s growing support among youth, particularly Gen Z
- Additional opposition claims
- Opposition leaders alleged restrictions, ABVP high-handedness, and other obstacles surrounding the Pune programme
- BJP demand
- Navnath Ban called for an investigation into the funding source and the organisations or individuals allegedly distributing the money
