'I'm not anti-business, I'm anti-monopoly': Rahul Gandhi after backlash

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi clarified his stance on business practices, emphasizing his opposition to monopolies rather than businesses themselves. He reiterated his concerns about concentrated corporate power, likening it to the historical dominance of the East India Company. The BJP, however, criticized Gandhi's remarks as baseless accusations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that he supported fair business practices while denouncing monopolistic control after the BJP criticised his recent remarks on concentrated corporate power in India . “I want to make something absolutely clear. I've been projected by my opponents in the BJP to be anti-business.

I'm not anti-business in the least. I am anti-monopoly. I am anti-creating oligopolies.

I am anti-domination of business by one or two or three or five people,” Rahul stated in a post, reiterating that his comments are directed against concentrated power, not enterprise itself. Rahul, drawing on his experience as a former management consultant, further added, “I understand the type of things that are required for a business to succeed. So I just want to repeat: I'm not anti-business, I'm anti-monopoly.

” The BJP on Wednesday accused Rahul of spreading “baseless accusations” against PM Narendra Modi in response to an opinion piece that he wrote in The Indian Express, where he likened modern monopolistic practices to the historical dominance of the East India Company. “Another baseless accusation against the Modi government through the so-called ‘match-fixing monopoly groups versus fair-play businesses’ is simply misleading,” the BJP wrote on X responding to Rahul Gandhi’s claims. "Dear Baalak Buddhi, do not jump to conclusions without examining facts," the saffron party said in a veiled reference at Rahul.

The BJP further posted video clips of top executives from companies such as Zomato, Haldiram, Tynor, Larsen & Toubro, and Moglix, all companies Rahul had mentioned in his article. The BJP highlighted these executives’ praise for Modi’s economic policies, challenging Rahul’s claims. Rahul Gandhi had expressed concerns about the current economic landscape, comparing it to the chokehold once exerted by the East India Company over India.

“The original East India Company wound up its operations more than 150 years ago, but the raw fear it used to generate then is back now,” Rahul said. He argued that today’s monopolists wield power not only in business but also within key national institutions, stifling competition and blocking growth for smaller enterprises..