New Delhi, Nov 7: In response to recent criticism from the BJP, Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi clarified his position on business in India, emphasizing that he is not “anti-business” but firmly against monopolies and oligopolies.
Speaking via a video posted on X, Gandhi said, “I want to make something absolutely clear. I am not anti-business as the BJP claims. I am anti-monopoly, anti-creating oligopolies, and against domination by a few powerful business entities.” The former Congress chief, who began his career as a management consultant, argued that he understands the needs of businesses and reiterated his support for “fair competition” in the market.
In an opinion piece in The Indian Express, Gandhi compared modern monopolists to the British East India Company, noting that while India’s original monopolist left 150 years ago, a “new breed” of monopolists now wields similar power, stifling competition and equality. Gandhi highlighted that monopolistic control over essential networks, including banking and information, has led to deepening inequality across the country.
Alongside the video, Gandhi posted a message declaring himself “pro-Jobs, pro-Business, pro-Innovation, pro-Competition” and stated that India’s economic growth depends on providing “free and fair space for all businesses.” He argued that India’s past experience under the East India Company serves as a warning against corporate monopolies today.
The BJP responded sharply to Gandhi’s assertions, accusing him of making “baseless accusations” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A BJP post on X labeled his claims as “misleading,” urging Gandhi to review the facts before drawing conclusions. The party’s post called Gandhi’s remarks a “baseless accusation,” urging him to avoid premature conclusions and confront the “realities” of India’s economic framework.
