Subramanian Swamy writes to PM demanding to strip Rahul Gandhi of Indian citizenship

NEW DELHI:Alleging that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had declared himself as a British citizen (2003-2009) for purpose of floating a private company in London leader Subramanian Swamy has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the government to strip Gandhi of his citizenship.

"As you can see from the company (BACKOPS LIMITED) Annual Record that Mr Rahul Gandhi has given his date of birth correctly but has declared himself to be of British nationality with an United Kingdom address ... this is, prima facie, a violation of the law and the constitutional position in the country ... I urge you to treat this matter with great urgency and immediately take necessary steps to see if this prima facie evidence is rebuttable, and if not, order than Mr Rahul Gandhi be stripped of his citizenship, and his membership of the Lok Sabha, forthwith," Swamy said releasing the copy of his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a press conference today.

The Congress dismissed these allegations. "It has been the habit of Subramanian Swamy to make silly statements in order to try and seek some publicity whenever he is sidelined. Nobody takes his statements seriously", Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken said at the official AICC briefing in response to question on Swamy's latest allegation against Rahul Gandhi.

Swamy said that he will also write to Lok Sabha Speaker soon requesting her to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics for appropriate action.

"The government will act on it," was Swamy's stock reply to a query whether he will lodge a police complaint on the basis of evidence with him. He suggested that he filed a case against National Herald against Gandhi family as that time his party (BJP) was not in power and he need not do so when BJP is in power.