Rahul Gandhi's citizenship and qualification under limelight

The BJP raised up inquiries on the Congress president Rahul Gandhi's citizenship and educational qualification and asked him to come clean on the matter, referring to a complaint filed against, on Saturday.

The BJP's response hails from in the wake of the complaint lodged with returning officer in Amethi seat against Gandhi's candidature in which accusations and protestations have been made about his citizenship and qualification.

Monday has been fixed as the next date of hearing on the matter by the returning officer (RO).

It was "stunning" that Gandhi's lawyer sought time to reply to the objections said BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao to the reporters. "These are serious allegations. Is Rahul Gandhi an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story," he said.

The returning officer is the ultimate authority on such a matter, but he cannot check the authenticity of whatsoever is on paper on an election affidavit said the Election Commission sources.

"If someone approaches an RO raising objections, he must hear the affected party. If anyone has any objection to whatever is recorded in an affidavit, the person should approach court. The EC has no role in any objection made to election affidavit," they said.

The BJP spokesperson said there are "disagreements and efforts to overpower details" in Gandhi's affidavits filed during different elections from 2004 to 2014, mentioning as per the complaint. Rao alleged that the Congress chief had stated that he did M Phil in development economics from Cambridge University, but later claimed it was in development studies.

"We will like to know if Rahul Gandhi goes by multiple names in different countries," Rao said. He also commented if the Gandhi scion's qualification was like Congress manifestos that transformation every five years.