The BJP claims Congress offered an influencer ₹25,000, including travel expenses, to attend Rahul Gandhi’s Pune event.
The purported phone conversation does not explicitly mention Rahul Gandhi, Congress or the event.
Pune Police has imposed several conditions, including CCTV surveillance, separate entry arrangements, security checks and a ban on drones.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of offering social media influencers ₹25,000 to attend Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme in Pune on August 22. The allegation was based on a video shared by the BJP that purportedly shows a phone conversation between an unidentified social media influencer and a person claiming to be associated with the Congress.
The authenticity of the video and the identities of the people involved could not be independently verified from the information available.
BJP shares purported phone conversation
The BJP shared the video on Friday, claiming that a Congress worker was inviting the influencer to attend the Pune event and promote it through her social media account.
In the purported conversation, the caller, who identifies himself as “Shantanu”, allegedly tells the influencer that she would be paid ₹25,000, including travel expenses, to attend an event scheduled for August 22.
The caller does not explicitly mention Rahul Gandhi, the ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme or the Congress in the conversation. However, he refers to an event taking place on the “22nd” and says that the influencer could upload related content later that day or the following day.
Sharing the clip on X, the BJP alleged that the Congress was paying people to generate public support for Rahul Gandhi.
“Even public support has to be bought for Rahul Gandhi,” the BJP said, adding that influencers were allegedly being offered ₹25,000 merely to attend his Pune event.
The Congress has not, in the material provided, responded to the BJP's allegation.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ event
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address the ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme at the SSPMS College Ground in Pune on August 22.
The event is part of the Congress leader's student outreach initiative focusing on issues including examination irregularities. According to ANI, the Pune programme is expected to attract between 8,000 and 10,000 people and is particularly focused on providing a platform for young women.
The event is scheduled to be held between 4:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
Pune Police impose conditions
The Pune Police has granted permission for the programme subject to several conditions aimed at maintaining security and public order.
The organisers have been directed not to display provocative or objectionable images, portraits or banners. The police has also said the organisers would bear responsibility for any law-and-order disruption resulting from the event.
Attendance cannot exceed the venue's permitted capacity. Organisers have also been instructed to establish at least four separate entry and exit gates and separate seating arrangements for men and women.
Entry points must have enclosed areas for frisking women, with the checks conducted exclusively by female security personnel. Male volunteers have been barred from carrying out frisking duties.
CCTV mandatory, drones prohibited
The police has mandated round-the-clock CCTV coverage of the venue and required the organisers to deploy an adequate number of security personnel and female volunteers.
The stage and marquee must have certified installations and a Public Works Department (PWD) fitness certificate. A protective “D-cordon” barricade is also required in front of the main stage.
Drone cameras have been prohibited for photography and videography. The use of high-intensity beam lights directed towards the sky has also been barred, with the organisers required to comply with Airport Authority of India and CISF regulations.
The police has further directed that the event comply with Supreme Court-prescribed noise limits and not cause disruption to nearby residents, senior citizens, schools, hospitals or Pune Railway Station.
The organisers must obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Fire and Traffic departments before the programme.
The Pune City Police has warned that violations of the conditions or any law-and-order problem could result in the cancellation of permission and legal action.
