Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Congress Pays Extra Rs 4.03 Lakh for Rahul Gandhi Event
The Congress party is organising a student programme in Indore that Rahul Gandhi will address.
The programme is planned for September 19.
Congress was allowed to use land near the Regional Park from September 17 to September 19.
Officials said part of the land was used starting September 14, before permission began.
Because of this, the Indore Development Authority asked Congress for more money.
Congress paid an additional Rs 4.03 lakh.
This brought its total payment for the temporary lease to Rs 14.11 lakh.
Congress had first wanted to use Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, but that venue was not approved.
Congress says the extra demand resulted from pressure by BJP leaders, while the authority and BJP say it is only about collecting the required land-use fee.
The Indore Development Authority asked Congress to pay an additional Rs 4.03 lakh for temporary land use.
Congress deposited the amount, bringing its total payment for the lease to Rs 14.11 lakh.
About 12,000 square metres near the Regional Park was allotted for Rahul Gandhi’s September 19 event.
An inspection found that 4,800 square metres had been used from September 14, before the approved period began.
Congress shifted the programme from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after permission for the venue was not granted.
- Who
- The Indore Development Authority, the Congress, and Rahul Gandhi; BJP spokesperson Rakesh Singh Yadav also raised the issue.
- What
- Congress paid an additional Rs 4.03 lakh for temporary use of government land for the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme.
- When
- The payment was made on September 17; the event is scheduled for September 19, while the disputed early use began on September 14.
- Where
- On about 12,000 square metres of land near the Regional Park in Indore.
- Why
- The IDA said 4,800 square metres was used three days before the permitted lease period began.
Congress’s Position
Authority and BJP’s Position
Reason for the extra payment
Congress’s Position
City Congress Committee president Chintu Chouksey objected to the demand and alleged that it resulted from pressure by BJP leaders.
Authority and BJP’s Position
The IDA and BJP spokesperson Rakesh Singh Yadav said the payment concerned the prescribed revenue for government land used beyond the permitted period, not opposition to the political event.
Use of the site
Congress’s Position
Congress proceeded with the programme at the alternative site after its proposed stadium venue was not permitted.
Authority and BJP’s Position
The IDA said its inspection showed that 4,800 square metres had been used from September 14, although the approved period began on September 17.
- Additional payment
- Rs 4.03 lakh
- Total lease payment
- Rs 14.11 lakh
- Programme
- Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event
- Event date
- September 19
- Allotted land
- About 12,000 square metres
- Permitted period
- September 17 to September 19
- Early-use area
- 4,800 square metres used from September 14
- Previous venue
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where permission was not granted
