A day after the BJP criticized Lok Sabha MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleged expenditure on foreign trips, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised questions over the visit.
Rijiju urged Rahul to inform the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats in advance about his visits, and disclose details if he accepts any foreign hospitality.
“The issue of Rahul Gandhi’s unannounced and announced foreign visits has raised a serious question. Every Member of Parliament has to inform the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats 3 weeks before their foreign visit,” Rijiju said, adding that this was not to seek permission but for information purposes.
“MPs can travel abroad but information must be provided. If a particular MP accepts foreign hospitality, the expenses to be borne by agencies/organizations inviting the MP should come under the FCRA…,” Rijiju told reporters, according to news agency ANI.
Rahul has to inform MHA under FCRA if he accepts foreign hospitality: Rijiju
Union Minister Rijiju also cited the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA), saying Rahul is required to inform the Ministry of Home Affairs if he accepts any foreign hospitality.
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The Congress leader has made 54 foreign trips since 2004, he said, adding that the Lok Sabha should be informed about the travel plans in advance.
“Rahul Gandhi has been a member of Parliament since 2004 and there are reports of 54 foreign trips. It is not just 54 trips but how many days he stayed outside India and what expenses he incurred…” he said. “He has to inform the Speaker of the Lok Sabha 3 weeks before the proposed foreign visit and if he has to accept foreign hospitality, he has to inform the MHA under FCRA,” Rijiju added.
He urged the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to “specify” the details of his visits, including those who invited him and “the expenses incurred in his name by agencies/organisations outside India”.
“The law is for everyone,” Rijiju stated, adding: “…if anything happens, if some action is taken, the government should not be blamed for targeting Rahul Gandhi or a particular person.”
What did the BJP post say?
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) official handle
“estimated $Rs 60 crore was spent on 54 foreign trips between 2004 and 2026. However, his declared income is only $“Rs 11 crore, which is five times less than the expenditure,” the party handle wrote. BJP leader Sambit Patra also raised questions on the issue at a press conference, claiming that Rahul had made several foreign trips while holding elected office.
Batra claimed that details regarding the source of funding for these visits were not public. “On each of his foreign trips, he had around 3-4 people traveling with him. His total foreign travel expenses amounted to around 3-4 people. $Rs 60 crore,” the BJP leader said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also harshly criticized the Congress leader for his “mysterious foreign trips” and asked him to clarify “what is the real source of funding for these tours.”
