Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Amethi and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituencies. (file) Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Amethi and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituencies. (file)

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday issued a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in connection with a complaint filed by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy raising questions over his citizenship. The MHA asked Gandhi to respond within a “fortnight”.

Swamy, in his complaint, claimed that Gandhi was listed as one of the directors of a company registered in the United Kingdom. He alleged that Gandhi had declared his nationality as “British” in the company’s annual returns filed in 2005 and 2006.

The complaint has evoked a strong reaction from Gandhi’s sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. “The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?” she told reporters.

The development was, however, downplayed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who said it was normal procedure to seek reply when a Parliament member writes to any ministry. “When a member of Parliament writes to any ministry, action required on their query is taken. It is not a big development, it is normal process,” Singh told news agency ANI.

A copy of MHA’s letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi. (Source: ANI) A copy of MHA’s letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi. (Source: ANI)

Rachit Seth, Congress national media co-ordinator, tweeted out the certificate of incorporation of the company.

Certificate of Incorporation of Backops, which clearly mentions the Citizenship of Rahul Gandhi as INDIAN. BJP did the same in 2015 So Modi is clutching at straws after the 4 phase elections! pic.twitter.com/uEZPiO27oT — Rachit Seth | ?? ???? ?????! | Ab Hoga NYAY (@rachitseth) April 30, 2019

Similar objections were raised earlier this month by Dhruv Lal, an independent candidate contesting from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. However, Returning Officer (RO) of Amethi Ram Manohar Misra declared that the Congress president’s nomination papers were valid. Lal submitted unverified copies alleging that Gandhi’s nomination contained several discrepancies including details about his citizenship and educational qualifications. The complainant alleged that Gandhi had declared himself as a British citizen in company filings made in the United Kingdom.

#WATCH Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on MHA notice to Rahul Gandhi over citizenship, says,” The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?” pic.twitter.com/Rgt457WMoi — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2019

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