Bengal Congress burns Modi's effigy in protest of US funding claims

The West Bengal Congress has launched a strong protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after U.S. President Donald Trump made serious allegations involving the Prime Minister and industrialist Gautam Adani. Trump, in a recent press conference, claimed that Modi had received 21 billion U.S. dollars to ensure a high voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The American president also revealed that he had sent a formal letter to the Indian government, urging action against Gautam Adani in connection with a bribery case involving 2200 crore rupees.

In response to these claims, the Congress party staged a protest in Kolkata, where party workers burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Modi. The protestors have demanded a detailed investigation into the allegations, which they say cannot be considered personal matters of the Prime Minister. Congress leaders have expressed concerns over the potential misuse of public resources and questioned Modi’s silence on the issue.

One of the main demands from the Congress is to determine the source and handling of the alleged 21 billion dollars. The party has called for transparency on whether the funds were received in cash, cheque, or through party mechanisms like electoral bonds. Congress members have also raised the question of whether these funds were used for electoral purposes or inappropriately diverted.

The protest also highlighted the legal troubles of industrialist Gautam Adani, who is accused of involvement in the 2200 crore rupee bribery scandal. According to reports, President Trump’s letter to the Indian government requested assistance in addressing the issue involving Adani and his alleged illegal dealings. Congress has called for immediate steps to investigate these charges, especially after the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials in the scandal.