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Rahul Gandhi: Row erupts over Congress leader's Indian citizenship Rahul Gandhi: Row erupts over Congress leader's Indian citizenship
(32 minutes later)
India has entered full election mode: voting began on 11 April, and the final ballot will be cast more than five weeks later on 19 May. Every day, the BBC will be bringing you all the latest updates on the twists and turns of the world's largest democracy.India has entered full election mode: voting began on 11 April, and the final ballot will be cast more than five weeks later on 19 May. Every day, the BBC will be bringing you all the latest updates on the twists and turns of the world's largest democracy.
Rahul Gandhi questioned about his citizenshipRahul Gandhi questioned about his citizenship
What happened?What happened?
A row has erupted after the Indian Home Ministry asked Rahul Gandhi - the leader of the main opposition Congress party - to respond to a complaint alleging that he has foreign citizenship.A row has erupted after the Indian Home Ministry asked Rahul Gandhi - the leader of the main opposition Congress party - to respond to a complaint alleging that he has foreign citizenship.
The notice came after Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleged that Mr Gandhi had in the past claimed British citizenship. Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), complained to the ministry that Mr Gandhi had allegedly claimed to be a British citizen in the past.
Mr Swamy appears to have made the allegation directly to the home ministry, according to the official notice issued by the government to Mr Gandhi on Monday. The Congress was quick to dismiss the allegation - Mr Gandhi's sister, Priyanka, told reporters that "the whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian". And Congress spokesperson Rajdeep Surjewala said the "BJP is in panic mode."
Why does this matter?
In his complaint, Mr Swamy reportedly cited paperwork of a company registered in the UK, according to the official notice issued to Mr Gandhi.
He alleged that Mr Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen in company documents that were filed in 2005-06.
But Mr Swamy is no stranger to controversy. He made the same allegation and citied the same documents in 2015 - this led to a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court demanding an official inquiry but the court dismissed the petition.
Mr Swamy had earlier also raised questions about Mr Gandhi's and his mother Sonia's education qualifications.
Sonia Gandhi is of Italian descent and that too has been the subject of controversy in the past. Back in 2004, opponents attempted to rake it up as an election issue although she had surrendered her Italian passport in favour of Indian citizenship.
On Monday, Mumbai voted in the fourth phase of pollsOn Monday, Mumbai voted in the fourth phase of polls
What happened?What happened?
Voting opened in 72 seats - including those in financial hub Mumbai - across India in the fourth phase of the country's marathon elections.Voting opened in 72 seats - including those in financial hub Mumbai - across India in the fourth phase of the country's marathon elections.
Polling was held in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Indian-administered Kashmir.Polling was held in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Indian-administered Kashmir.
In Mumbai, an umber of Bollywood stars were spotted either before or after casting their ballots.In Mumbai, an umber of Bollywood stars were spotted either before or after casting their ballots.
Three more phases of voting are due be held before results are announced on 23 May.Three more phases of voting are due be held before results are announced on 23 May.
Why does this matter?Why does this matter?
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies won 56 out of these 72 seats in the 2014 elections.The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies won 56 out of these 72 seats in the 2014 elections.
The BJP's mission to form a government largely depends on how many seats it manages to retain in this phase.The BJP's mission to form a government largely depends on how many seats it manages to retain in this phase.
Several federal ministers, including Giriraj Singh, Subhash Bhamre, SS Ahluwalia and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, are seeking re-election in this phase.Several federal ministers, including Giriraj Singh, Subhash Bhamre, SS Ahluwalia and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, are seeking re-election in this phase.
There are high-profile contests in some of Mumbai's seats.There are high-profile contests in some of Mumbai's seats.
In north-central Mumbai, the BJP's Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, is contesting against Priya Dutt, the daughter of late Congress leader Sunil Dutt.In north-central Mumbai, the BJP's Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, is contesting against Priya Dutt, the daughter of late Congress leader Sunil Dutt.
Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar is taking on the BJP's Gopal Shetty in Mumbai north constituency.Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar is taking on the BJP's Gopal Shetty in Mumbai north constituency.
Controversial former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar is contesting against BJP's Giriraj Singh in Bihar's Begusarai constituency.Controversial former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar is contesting against BJP's Giriraj Singh in Bihar's Begusarai constituency.
India votes 2019India votes 2019
Coverage from previous weeks:Coverage from previous weeks:
How do you vote in the election?How do you vote in the election?
Here's a video explaining everything that happens inside a polling station - and what happens to your vote after that:Here's a video explaining everything that happens inside a polling station - and what happens to your vote after that: