Pune: A political row has erupted ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Pune on Saturday evening. The BJP has alleged that money is being offered to bring people to the event and promote it on social media. The former Vadgaonsheri MLA and BJP leader has alleged that Congress is trying to create a crowd for the programme by offering money to attendees and social-media influencers.
In a post on X, the BJP leader claimed that the event, which is being presented as the “Voice of the Students”, was actually seeing the “Echo of Money”. He alleged that thousands of rupees were being distributed to gather a crowd and get social-media posts made about the programme. The BJP leader also claimed that people in Pune had turned their backs on Rahul Gandhi during his previous visit and alleged that Congress was now making a “desperate attempt” to gather a paid crowd.
The allegations come after a purported phone conversation surfaced in which a social-media influencer was allegedly offered Rs 25,000 to attend the programme and create content related to it. According to the BJP’s allegation, a person identifying himself as Shantanu told the influencer that she would receive Rs 25,000, including travel expenses. She was allegedly expected to attend the event and post two to three videos or other content on social media.
The BJP has claimed that the alleged arrangement was aimed at creating promotional content and giving the impression of strong public support for Gandhi’s programme. However, the recording does not explicitly mention Rahul Gandhi, Congress or Chhatron Ki Goonj. The identities of the people heard in the conversation have also not been independently established. The allegation has therefore not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, a separate WhatsApp message has also surfaced which appears to show junior actors and actresses in Maharashtra being offered Rs 400 to attend the programme in Pune. The message allegedly says that transport will be provided to those attending. The Rs 400 offer is also yet to be independently verified. It is therefore not clear whether the message is genuine or whether it is connected to the Congress event.
The allegations have added to an ongoing political controversy around Chhatron Ki Goonj, which is scheduled to be held in Pune on Saturday. The programme is aimed at providing a platform for women students to interact with Gandhi on issues including education, safety, equality and career opportunities. The event has already faced criticism over the manner in which participants are being mobilised.
On Friday, a confrontation took place between ABVP and Youth Congress members at the COEP hostel campus. ABVP members alleged that Congress and Youth Congress workers were forcing female students to register for the programme. Following a complaint, Pune Police registered a case against around 50 to 60 Youth Congress workers. The charges include provisions related to voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation.
Congress has rejected the allegations. Its leaders claimed that the two female students at the centre of the dispute supported the event and were instead threatened and confined by ABVP members. The BJP has also questioned whether Chhatron Ki Goonj is genuinely an open interaction with students.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had alleged that the programme would be held in a controlled setting. He questioned whether Gandhi would actually interact with students from across the spectrum or mainly with students from colleges associated with Congress leaders.
Congress Maharashtra president Harshwardhan Sapkal rejected the claim. He said students from any caste, religion or political affiliation could attend the programme. Sapkal also said there would be no Congress flags or symbols at the event. He said entry would be through a barcode registration system and denied that Congress had brought students to the programme in buses.
The BJP has also alleged that the registration and crowd mobilisation process could be used to create an organised gathering rather than a spontaneous student turnout. Congress has denied the charge. The latest allegations over alleged payments have now added another layer to the political dispute. For now, the Rs 25,000 influencer payment allegation and the separate Rs 400 WhatsApp message remain unverified. The allegations have been made amid a wider political fight over the nature and attendance of Gandhi’s Pune programme.
