Rahul Gandhi's election affidavit faces scrutiny amid citizenship controversy, his lawyer calls it a conspiracy: LIVE Updates here

Amid the controversy over Rahul Gandhi's citizenship, name, educational qualifications and UK properties, the returning officer in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh postponed the scrutiny of his nomination papers to April 22.

After Individual candidate from Amethi objected to the Congress president's nomination documents alleging that there are discrepancies in them, returning officer Ram Manohar Mishra is set to scrutinise his nomination papers on Monday. 

In the aftermath of the citizenship controversy, BJP launched a scathing attack at the Congress president alleging that Rahul Gandhi is a 'pathological liar', who has been caught lying to the Election Commission.

"False declarations and concealed information in his affidavit and nomination papers prima facie render him ineligible to fight elections in India," wrote BJP on Twitter. 

While addressing press briefing in Kolkata on Monday, BJP president Amit Shah also called out Rahul Gandhi to speak the truth over his citizenship and education qualifications.

"I don't think I have to comment here. the returning officer has to see here. A candidate has objected, and I believe if he has objected, then answers must be provided," Amit Shah said on being questioned by the reporters in the matter. 

Speaking to media outside the District Collector's office, Rahul Gandhi's lawyer termed the objection to Gandhi's nomination a 'political conspiracy',

"This is not a new thing. We have been listening to it since 2004, then 2009, then 2015 and now in 2019. The Opposition every time put such allegations against Rahul Gandhi. We have responded to every hurdle. This is there are four Independent candidates who have given the same kinds of statements/objection, which in itself is a question mark. For instance, there are two Independent candidates who have got in written from one computer, only they have put different signs. What does this prove? Are they doing it for publicity, the public only decide. This is a political conspiracy because Rahul Gandhi is gaining popularity all over the country and it is done to defame him."

He went onto claim that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian citizen and hold Indian citizenship documents including passport and Voter ID. 

"He was born in India and he has Indian passport, Voter ID, Income Tax file - everything belongs to Indian citizenship. We know he passed his M.Phil in 1995," he added. 

READ | MASSIVE CONTROVERSY: Serious Questions Raised Over Rahul Gandhi's Citizenship, Name, Educational Qualifications, UK Properties

Amethi Returning Officer finds Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers for Amethi Lok Sabha seat "valid" after allegations of discrepancies on his citizenship, as per news agency PTI.