WATCH: "Rahul Gandhi is an Indian National," says Jyotiraditya Scindia on the questions raised over Congress president's citizenship by an Independent Amethi polls candidate

In response to the questions raised by the fellow independent candidate of Amethi, Dhruv Lal, on the nomination papers of Rahul Gandhi, and the controversy that ensued, Congress leader Jyotiradiya Scindia has defended his party president by emphasizing that he is an Indian national. 

On Saturday, in a massive election controversy, serious questions regarding Congress President Rahul Gandhi's citizenship, name and educational qualifications were raised. Just three days ahead of another phase of voting which will also include the Wayanad contest, an independent candidate and a resident in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, Dhruv Lal, has raised objections on the nomination papers of the Congress chief, specifically over whether Rahul Gandhi is, indeed, an Indian citizen. 

In response to the allegations, Scindia said:

"Rahul Gandhi is an Indian national. On the basis of being an Indian citizen, he has filled up the nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. I was present with him on that day."

In an 11 page complaint that has been accessed by Republic TV, Lal has made scathing allegations against the Congress President which include "Falsity about the Educational Qualifications", "False Declaration as to Identity", "False declaration as to Nationality", "Concealment of Information regarding Ownership of Property situated in the United Kingdom" and "Concealment of Information regarding Profits earned". 

"On the basis of the certificate of incorporation of a company registered in the UK, he declared himself a British citizen. A non-citizen can't contest polls here," Dhruv Lal's lawyer Ravi Prakash said.

The affidavit submitted by Lal, under Section 36 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, asks the following questions: 

1. Are Raul Vinci and Rahul Gandhi one and the same person?
    
2. If the answer to the question above is in the affirmative, then the question arises as to by following which process of law, the candidate has changed his name from Raul Vinci to Rahul Gandhi?
    
3. If the answer to the first question is in negative, candidate's affidavits regarding his educational qualification is false.
    
4. Is the Candidate Indian Citizen or British Citizen?
    
5. If on account of being born to Smt. Sonia Gandhi and late Shri. Rajeev Gandhi, the candidate has acquired Indian Citizenship, then on which day, the candidate denounced his Indian Citizen to become British Citizen, as reflected in the official documents filed before the British Authorities?
    
6. If the candidate denounced British Nationality and again acquired Indian Citizenship, then by following what procedure he acquired Indian Citizenship?
    
7. Whether keeping the mandate of Section 9(1) of Citizenship Act and Indian Constitution, the candidate deserves to be disqualified from being the Member of Parliament and as such nomination papers to be rejected?

Meanwhile, following the complaint seeking scrutiny of the nomination papers, the Returning Officer of Amethi sought answers from Rahul Gandhi's representative Rahul Kaushik, who has in turn reportedly sought time till Monday, April 22, to address them. The request for time has been granted.