New Delhi- Recent allegations have ignited a political storm regarding the expenditure incurred during the G-20 summit in Delhi. Saket Gokhale, a prominent figure from Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, has raised questions about the transparency of the allocated budget.
Gokhale’s statements have suggested that the initial budget of ₹990 crore surged to ₹4,100 crore, a threefold increase. According to him, this substantial rise in expenditure was aimed at bolstering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public image in preparation for the 2024 Assembly Elections.
“Why shouldn’t BJP be made accountable for this additional ₹3,110 crore, as it was evidently non-essential spending solely for Modi’s self-promotion and personal PR campaign for the 2024 elections?” Gokhale questioned on social media.
The Congress party has also joined the chorus, accusing PM Modi of utilizing the event to enhance his public profile. They asserted that PM Modi allocated extra funds to showcase his image, which included extravagant arrangements for guests, complete with silver and gold-plated tableware.
In response to these allegations, the government’s fact-checking team from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has refuted the claims. According to PIB, the expenditure encompassed not only the Summit itself but also long-term investments in infrastructure and assets.
The two-day G-20 event, concluding on September 10, marked the culmination of India’s presidency year for the G-20. The Summit achieved unanimous agreement on the leaders’ declaration, solidifying its success.
Nevertheless, Gokhale took to social media on the second day of the Summit, alleging infrastructure issues at the venue. PIB countered these allegations, stating that minor waterlogging occurred due to rain but was swiftly addressed.
