New Delhi: The Congress on Friday mounted a fresh attack on the BJP-led Union government, citing emails linked to convicted American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to raise questions about his alleged interest in India soon after Narendra Modi took office in 2014.
Addressing a press briefing, Congress leader Pawan Khera referred to a June 5, 2014 email, sent barely 10 days after Modi was sworn in as prime minister, in which Epstein allegedly wrote to US billionaire Tom Pritzker: “Should we do India together, Jaitley and Modi?” The party claimed the reference to Modi and then finance minister Arun Jaitley raises serious concerns.
Khera said it was “deeply troubling” that a convicted criminal appeared to be discussing India’s top political leadership and alleged that this was not a coincidence but part of a broader attempt by Epstein’s international network to gain influence. He also referred to other reported communications involving Epstein that allegedly mentioned Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, industrialist Anil Ambani, and philanthropist Bill Gates.
The Congress demanded a clarification from the government, asking whether there was ever any political, financial or personal interaction between Epstein and senior Indian leaders. “What was it about the newly formed BJP government that attracted the attention of someone like Epstein?” the party asked.
The BJP has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
