A fresh political controversy has erupted around the Congress after the husband of a Haryana Mahila Congress general secretary alleged that money was paid to party leaders in return for an Assembly election ticket for his wife.
The claim has triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla citing the allegation to attack the Congress and accusing the party of a pattern of corruption in candidate selection.
Gaurav Kumar, husband of the Mahila Congress functionary, claimed he had evidence showing that money had been taken with the promise of a ticket.
“In the chats, they themselves have admitted that yes, they took the money. I have only mentioned the names of three or four leaders so far, but there are many more,” he said.
He also issued a direct challenge to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “I am giving an open challenge to Rahul Gandhi… I will show you the mirror of what is happening in your own house and what your senior leaders are doing. Either they are doing something wrong with you, or you yourself are getting it done,” Kumar said.
#CongressWithCorruption https://t.co/zvQvJUsEnE
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Chowkidar as per INC ecosystem) (@Shehzad_Ind) March 9, 2026
Leader claims false promises despite decades-long party link
The Mahila Congress leader said she had submitted her resignation nearly two weeks ago, though it had not yet been accepted.
“I submitted my resignation 12 days ago, which has still not been accepted,” she said.
Speaking about her background, she said her family had remained associated with the Congress for decades. “I come from the Dalit community, I am the daughter of a martyr, and my family has been connected with the Congress party for 56 years.”
She alleged that large sums had been spent in the hope of securing a ticket. “We have given crores of rupees… We were given false hopes… The high command is deceiving us. They are taking money from us, but we are not getting any benefits,” she claimed.
#CongressWithCorruption https://t.co/QO050FGh4a
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Chowkidar as per INC ecosystem) (@Shehzad_Ind) March 9, 2026
BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla attacks Congress
Reacting to the controversy, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress of institutional corruption and demanded answers from its senior leadership.
“INC means ‘I need cash, I need corruption, I need commission’,” he said while talking about the allegations.
Poonawalla said leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal should clarify the matter and questioned why no defamation case had been filed if the accusations were false.
“Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal and other senior leaders must respond. If the allegations are false, why has no defamation case been filed? If there is no action, it raises serious questions,” he said.
He also claimed that allegations of selling election tickets had surfaced earlier within the party and alleged that corruption had been a recurring issue in Congress politics.
The Congress has not issued an official response to the allegations made by the Mahila Congress leader and her husband so far.