BJP has accused Congress of offering ₹25,000 to social media influencers to attend Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Gunj” programme in Pune on August 22.

The allegation followed a video shared by BJP that it claimed showed a phone conversation between an unidentified social media influencer and a person who introduced himself as “Shantanu”. According to the BJP, the caller was associated with Congress and invited the influencer to attend the programme and post content about it on social media.

The person heard in the purported recording reportedly offered ₹25,000, including travel expenses, for attending the event. However, the caller did not explicitly mention Rahul Gandhi, Congress or the name of the programme during the conversation. He referred to an event scheduled for the “22nd” and said content could be uploaded later that day or the following day.

BJP used the video to question whether attendance and online promotion for the event were being paid for.

Rahul Gandhi’s Student Outreach Programme

Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Gunj” programme is scheduled to take place at the SSPMS College Ground in Pune on August 22.

The youth-focused programme is aimed at providing a platform for young women and is expected to attract between 8,000 and 10,000 people. According to the event details, the programme is scheduled from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Pune Police have issued several conditions for the event, covering security, crowd management and public order.

Police Issue Security Guidelines

Organisers have been instructed not to display provocative or objectionable images, banners or portraits during the programme. Police have also said that organisers will be responsible for any law-and-order problems resulting from the event.

Attendance cannot exceed the permitted capacity of the venue. Organisers have been directed to arrange at least four separate entry and exit gates and create separate seating arrangements for men and women.

Special arrangements have also been ordered for female attendees. Enclosed areas for frisking women must be provided at entry points, with female security personnel handling the process. Male volunteers will not be permitted to conduct frisking.

Security arrangements also include CCTV surveillance throughout the venue, covering both daytime and nighttime operations.
 

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Drone Use Banned at Event

Pune Police have prohibited the use of drones for photography and videography during the programme. Organisers have also been directed to comply with Airport Authority of India and CISF requirements.

The stage and marquee must have certified structural arrangements and a Public Works Department fitness certificate. A protective D-cordon barricade is also required in front of the main stage.

Organisers must obtain No Objection Certificates from the Fire and Traffic departments before the event.

Police have warned that violations of the conditions or any law-and-order problem could result in cancellation of permission and possible legal action.

BJP’s Claim Remains an Allegation

BJP has presented the purported video as evidence for its claim that influencers were being offered money to attend and promote the Pune programme. However, the identity of the person speaking to the influencer has not been independently established in the material provided, and the conversation does not explicitly identify Rahul Gandhi or the “Chhatron Ki Gunj” event.

The allegations come ahead of the Pune programme, which is part of Congress’s wider student outreach effort focused on issues concerning young people and examination irregularities.