I am not anti-business but anti-monopoly: Rahul Gandhi after facing backlash over editorial

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the BJP for projecting him as anti-business and said that he is 'not against any business' but 'anti-monopoly'.

In a video message, Gandhi said, “I want to make something absolutely clear. I have been projected by my opponents in the BJP to be anti-business”.

He said “I am not anti-business, in the least anti-monopoly. I am anti-creating oligopolies, I am anti-domination of business by one, two, three or five people”.

Rahul said that he started his career as management consultant and he was aware what all was needed for a business to succeed.

“I am not anti-business but anti-monopoly. Our economy will thrive when there is free and fair space for all businesses,” the Raebareli MP stressed.

I am pro-Jobs, pro-Business, pro-Innovation, pro-Competition. I am anti-Monopoly.

Our economy will thrive when there is free and fair space for all businesses. pic.twitter.com/hySqQKpRdJ

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2024

His remarks came a day after his editorial titled ‘A New Deal for Indian Business’ faced criticism.

In the editorial, the Congress leader alleged that a "new breed of monopolists" were controlling the country's governing institutions and regulators.

However, the Raebareli MP added that there were a larger number of “play-fair” Indian businesses, in contrast to the “match-fixing” monopoly groups, that have innovated and chosen to play by the rules and gave examples like Mahindra, Titan, Lenskart, Manyavar, Zomato etc.

Responding to the editorial, the BJP called it “another baseless accusation” against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. In a post on social media, the party said that the “so-called ‘match-fixing monopoly groups versus fair-play businesses’ is simply misleading”.

“Dear Baalak Buddhi, do not jump to conclusions without examining facts!” the party said. “Listen to what these companies have to say about the support they’ve received from PM Modi.”

Another baseless accusation against the Modi government through the so-called 'match-fixing monopoly groups versus fair-play businesses' is simply misleading.

Dear Baalak Buddhi, do not jump to conclusions without examining facts!

Listen to what these companies have to say… https://t.co/pt2FwJkA1M

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 6, 2024

The party also shared video clips featuring the top executives of nine companies named by Rahul Gandhi in his editorial.

2- Krishan Kumar Chutani, CEO of Haldiram Snacks Pvt Ltd, said:

"PM Modi's investment-friendly schemes have ignited a revolution!" pic.twitter.com/h1hCgEVyEK

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 6, 2024

4- S.N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro, said:

"PM Modi has shown us the way; he’s shown leadership to the country." pic.twitter.com/1MNCB3wUjt

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 6, 2024

7- Mahindra Group's Dr. Anish Shah said:

"This government is focused on doing what’s right for the economy, and it is very keen to establish India as a destination for global investors and a hub for manufacturing." pic.twitter.com/FHU2Qh65Sf

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 6, 2024