BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strip Rahul Gandhi of his Indian citizenship and Lok Sabha membership, alleging that the Congress vice-president is a British national, said reports.
However, the Congress has dismissed the allegations, saying that the BJP leader is putting up a publicity stunt as he feels sidelined.
In the letter written to PM Modi, Swamy claimed that Rahul Gandhi had declared himself as a British national during 2003-2009 in order to float a private company in London.
Though it is legal to have dual citizenship in the UK, it is not allowed in India.
"I am enclosing with this letter some authenticated documents regarding the registration in 2003 and dissolution in 2009 of a Private Ltd. Company in United Kingdom with an address located in London. The name of the company is BACKOPS Limited and the Director and Secretary of this company was Mr. Rahul Gandhi, presently Lok Sabha MP. The incorporation papers of this company No. 4874597 was filed with the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales on August 21, 2003 and the dissolution was on February 17, 2009," the letter stated.
"I urge you to treat this matter with great urgency and immediately take necessary steps to see if this prima facie evidence is rebuttable, and if not, order that Mr. Rahul Gandhi be stripped of his citizenship, and his membership of the Lok Sabha, forthwith," it added.
But Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken said it in the habit of Subramanian Swamy to make silly remarks for publicity.
The Congress dismissed these allegations. "It has been the habit of Subramanian Swamy to make silly statements in order to try and seek some publicity whenever he is sidelined. Nobody takes his statements seriously," The Economic Times quoted Maken as saying.
