The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of offering social media influencers ₹25,000 to attend Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme in Pune. The event is scheduled to take place on August 22. The BJP made the allegation after sharing a purported video of a phone conversation between a social media influencer and a person claiming to be a Congress worker.

The BJP shared the video on Friday. It claimed that the conversation shows a Congress worker asking an influencer to attend the Pune event and promote it through her social media account. In the audio, the caller identifies himself as ‘Shantanu’. He tells the influencer that she would receive ₹25,000. The amount would also cover her travel expenses.

The caller does not directly mention Rahul Gandhi, the ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme or any other specific details that could identify the event. However, he says the event will take place on “22nd”. He also tells the influencer that she could post content about the event later that day or the following day. The identity of both the influencer and the person in the conversation has not been independently established from the video shared by the BJP.

“Even public support has to be bought for Rahul Gandhi,” the BJP wrote in a post on X as it shared the purported video clip.

“Look at this video. Influencers are being offered ₹25,000 just to attend his Pune event. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is so weak that even event attendance needs to be paid for. Yet, he questions EVMs whenever he loses,” it said.

The Congress has not been shown in the provided material to have independently confirmed the alleged payment arrangement. The video shared by the BJP also does not itself establish the identity of the caller or confirm that he was representing the Congress. The allegations therefore remain claims made by the BJP.

Rahul Gandhi’s nationwide student outreach initiative, ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’, is scheduled for August 22 at the SSPMS College Ground in Pune. The programme will focus on providing a platform for young women. According to news agency ANI, the event is expected to draw between 8,000 and 10,000 people. The programme is scheduled to run from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Pune Police have granted permission for the programme but have imposed several conditions to ensure public order and security. The organisers have been directed not to display provocative images, banners or portraits during the event. Police have also warned that the organisers will bear full legal responsibility if any incident leads to a law and order problem.

"Objectionable images, portraits, or banners must not be displayed during the program; additionally, if any untoward incident takes place leading to a law and order issue, the entire responsibility will lie on the organisers," the police directive stated.

The police have also instructed the organisers to ensure that attendance does not exceed the venue’s permitted capacity. At least four separate entry and exit gates must be arranged. The organisers must also create separate seating areas for men and women.

Special arrangements have been mandated at the entry points for the frisking of female attendees. These areas must remain enclosed and can only be staffed by female security personnel. Male volunteers cannot carry out frisking duties. The organisers have also been told to maintain a high proportion of female volunteers to assist private security teams.

The stage and marquee must have certified structural arrangements. A Public Works Department (PWD) fitness certificate is mandatory for the setup. The organisers must also install a “D-cordon” protective barricade in front of the main stage. CCTV cameras must remain operational throughout the day and night across the venue.

Pune Police have completely prohibited the use of drones for photography or videography at the event. The organisers cannot use high-intensity beam lights directed into the sky. They must also comply with regulations issued by the Airport Authority of India and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The programme must follow the Supreme Court’s prescribed noise level restrictions. The organisers have been instructed to ensure that the event does not disturb nearby residents, senior citizens, schools, hospitals or Pune Railway Station.

The organisers must also obtain formal No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Fire and Traffic departments before the programme takes place. Police have warned that any violation of the conditions or any law and order issue could result in the immediate cancellation of the event permission. Legal action may also follow in case of non-compliance.

The BJP’s allegation over the alleged ₹25,000 payment comes ahead of the Pune programme, while the police have placed strict security and crowd-management conditions on the organisers. The purported video remains the basis of the BJP’s claim regarding influencer payments, while the caller’s identity and his alleged connection with the Congress have not been independently established in the information available.