India: LoP Rahul Gandhi claims 'senior minister' is pressuring 'play-fair businesses' to praise PM Modi

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, alleged on Thursday (Nov. 7) that some "fair-playing businesses" were asked by a "senior minister" to publicly support Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. This claim followed Gandhi’s recent opinion piece, where he criticised the influence of "monopolists" over government institutions and argued that many fair-minded businesses were struggling under the government.

Gandhi posted on X, "After my article, many play-fair businesses are telling me that a senior Minister has been calling and forcing them to say good things on social media about PM Modi and the government's programmes. Proves my point exactly!" He did not specify which companies reportedly received these calls.

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On Wednesday, Gandhi shared an opinion piece in which he discussed what he called a “match-fixing” arrangement between powerful businesses and the government. He claimed that the current administration is favouring monopolies, which stifle competition and restrict the growth of smaller businesses.

Gandhi wrote, "In contrast to the 'match-fixing' monopoly groups, there is a larger number of amazing 'play-fair' Indian businesses, from micro-enterprises to large corporations, but you are silent. You persevere in an oppressive system." He added that many of India's brilliant and dynamic business leaders were intimidated by these monopolists.

"The government cannot be allowed to support one business at the expense of all others, much less support benami equations in the business system. Government agencies are not weapons to be used to attack and intimidate businesses," he wrote.

In his article, Gandhi also addressed criticism from the BJP, saying, "I want to make something absolutely clear. I have been projected by my opponents in the BJP to be anti-business. I am not anti-business, in the least. I am anti-monopoly. I am anti-creating oligopolies. I am anti-domination by one or two or 3 or 5 people."

Sharing his article on X, Gandhi wrote, "Choose your India: Play-Fair or Monopoly? Jobs or Oligarchies? Competence or Connections? Innovation or Intimidation? Wealth for many or the few?"

(With inputs from agencies)