Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday, 15 May publicly backed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s demand for transparency over the funding of Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi's foreign trips, calling the opacity around certain visits 'worrisome' and a potential violation of parliamentary protocols. The remarks add fresh political heat to a controversy over an alleged mismatch between Gandhi's declared income and his overseas travel expenditure over two decades.

What Rijiju Said

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju outlined existing parliamentary rules, stating that any member of Parliament travelling abroad must inform the Secretariat of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha at least three weeks in advance, purportedly for security reasons. He argued that Gandhi's failure to follow this procedure on certain trips raised serious questions.

'An MP is an MP; the rules must be followed. Whether it is in Muscat, Thailand, or Vietnam, for what purpose he went and whom he met, it is important to disclose that. We also disclose it,' Rijiju said.

The Income-Expenditure Mismatch Allegation

The controversy was escalated a day earlier by BJP MP Sambit Patra, who alleged that Gandhi's declared income stands at ₹11 crore, while his expenditure on 54 foreign trips across Europe, the Middle East, and other regions reportedly totals approximately ₹60 crore. Patra questioned the source of funds financing the gap.

Rijiju extended that line of attack, stating that if Gandhi's overseas expenses exceed income declared in his election affidavit, it becomes a matter of concern for the Income Tax department. 'Whether this income is disclosed or undisclosed, it needs to be accounted for,' he said, adding: 'I believe the answer must come from the Congress party on this.'

The Oman Trip Controversy

Notably, Gandhi's reported visit to Oman earlier this month has emerged as a specific flashpoint. According to reports, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) — which provides security cover to Gandhi — was not informed of the trip in advance, and subsequently raised concerns about the lapse. The incident has been cited by BJP leaders as evidence of a broader pattern of non-disclosure.

Congress Yet to Respond

The Indian National Congress (INC) has not issued a formal rebuttal to the specific allegations around the income-expenditure discrepancy as of Friday. Rijiju's remarks make clear that the BJP intends to keep the issue alive, framing it as both a parliamentary compliance matter and a financial accountability question. This comes amid a broader political environment where the ruling party and the principal opposition have repeatedly clashed over Gandhi's conduct and public statements.

With parliamentary scrutiny intensifying, how Congress chooses to respond — and whether it provides a detailed accounting of the trips — is likely to shape the next phase of this political dispute.