(Image source from: Subramanian Rahul Gandhi declared British nationality in 2005})

Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice-president, was accused by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy as declaring himself as a ‘British national’ in 2005, while he was holding the director’s post at Backops Limited, a U.K. private firm. The congress fiercely denied the charge.

Dr. Swamy shared copies of the annual returns of the company, at a press conference, which certified Mr. Gandhi’s identity as a British.

As per the documents assessed by The Hindu via the British government’s official database the nationality declared by Mr. Gandhi is Indian nationality in the Memorandum of Association signed in 2003 at the time the company was founded. Still, Mr. Gandhi’s citizenship is shown as British in documents listing of annual returns filed in 2005.

Dr. Swamy said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that, “As you can see from the company annual return that Mr. Rahul Gandhi has given his date of birth correctly, but has declared himself to be of British nationality with a United Kingdom address ... he held 65 per cent of the shares … .” Allegation from the BJP leader

Allegation from the BJP leader is that prima facie was a violation of Article 9 of the Indian Constitution. According to this, ‘every Indian citizen was barred from voluntarily acquiring citizenship of any foreign State.’ Even though, the UK permits dual citizenship, India does not.

He also said that an Indian citizen cannot accept any even foreign titles, according to Article 18. Mr. Gandhi allegedly had an undeclared overseas account with a bank based in Zurich.

Congress denies

The allegation was described by Congress as an attempt to “gain cheap publicity” besides to “divert the attention” from the revolt arousing inside BJP following an electoral defeat in Bihar.

Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, “From the day he was born, Rahul Gandhi has held Indian citizenship and Indian passport and has never held citizenship of any other country nor has he represented as such.”

-Sumana