New Delhi, 14 May (H.S.):

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised serious questions regarding the expenses incurred on foreign travels by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The BJP stated that from 2004 to 2026, Rahul Gandhi undertook a total of 54 foreign trips, on which approximately ₹60 crore was spent. The party alleged that the funding and details of these trips have not been made public.

BJP spokesperson and MP Dr. Sambit Patra said during a press conference at the party headquarters on Thursday that Rahul Gandhi undertook 54 foreign trips at his own expense, costing ₹60 crore. These trips included visits to the United States, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Bahrain, Maldives, Qatar, UAE, and most recently Oman-Muscat. Press itineraries, parliamentary records, and photo trails are public for most trips, but their financial sources remain unclear.

Sambit Patra stated that Rahul Gandhi's declared income from 2013-14 to 2022-23 was approximately ₹11 crore, while the alleged expenditure on foreign trips reached ₹60 crore. Clearly, there is a significant gap between income and expenditure.

Highlighting specific trips, he claimed that the 2015 Southeast Asia trip reportedly cost ₹4.5 crore, while Rahul Gandhi's declared income that year was ₹86.55 lakh. Similarly, the December 2025 London and Berlin trip cost ₹1.4 crore, the September-October 2025 Latin America trip cost ₹5.5 crore, and the April 2025 Boston trip cost ₹1.2 crore.

Sambit Patra alleged that the April 2025 Dubai trip and the May 2026 Muscat trip were undeclared. CRPF letters were issued regarding these trips, mentioning no program, no host disclosure, and secret trips.

He stated that under Indian law, particularly provisions related to FCRA, any MP or public officeholder must obtain prior permission to accept foreign hospitality. He questioned why, if the expenses of these trips were borne by any foreign source, the permission and records have not been made public.

Referencing an alleged CRPF letter written to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the BJP leader claimed that six undeclared foreign trips occurred between December 2024 and September 2025, during which necessary security protocols were not followed. The BJP leader asked Congress: Who funded Rahul's May 2026 Oman trip? If any foreign entity bore the expense, the permission letter should be made public. If the trip was at private expense, bank statements, forex vouchers, or party records should be released.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar