Pawan Khera refutes BJP's claims linking Kapil Sibal to Jeffrey Epstein files, stating Sibal's name was on a public event calendar. He accused the BJP of spreading misinformation to deflect from allegations against Hardeep Singh Puri.
Congress Refutes BJP's Claims
Congress leader Pawan Khera has strongly refuted claims that former Union Minister Kapil Sibal was named in the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files, accusing members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading misinformation. In a post on X, Khera alleged that BJP leaders, including party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla and Pradip Bhandari, were attempting to "peddle the claim" that Sibal appeared in documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Khera said the claim collapses upon reading the full context of the document being cited. According to Khera, the file in question is a 59-page document originally sent by Margaux Rogers to Epstein's Personal Assistant, Lesley Groff, on September 10, 2010, and forwarded to Epstein the same day. He said the document is titled "CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS, OPENINGS, AND FUNDRAISERS," and compiles a list of public events in New York that Epstein may have tracked.
Khera argued that the list included a range of events such as conferences, fashion shows, and public gatherings, and was not a record of meetings or personal interactions with Epstein. Sibal's name, he said, appears on page 55 in connection with an event organised by the Institute of International Education. At the time, Sibal was serving as India's Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister and was awarded the Stephen P Duggan Award for Mutual Understanding for his support of global collaboration in education. This was an award function "completely unrelated to Jeffery Epstein," Khera stated, adding that Sibal was neither a guest of Epstein nor mentioned in any meeting logs or correspondence with him.
Khera contrasted Sibal's mention in the document with allegations he referenced concerning Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, claiming that attempts were being made to "manufacture a narrative" to deflect attention from questions directed at BJP figures. He accused BJP spokespersons of selectively sharing screenshots without reading the full document and of attempting to drag opposition leaders into controversy by highlighting names out of context. "Unfortunately for them, this story collapses the moment the full document is opened," Khera wrote. https://x.com/Pawankhera/status/2022696564205183245
BJP Alleges Congress-Epstein Link
This follows claims made by BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on X, who stated, "In 2010, an award reportedly funded by Jeffrey Epstein was received by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, a figure long seen as close to the Gandhi family." He also alleged that Sam Pitroda, Congress's overseas department head, was "associated with the same circles."
Bhandari shared a document on X that reportedly included Sibal's name among awardees at the 2010 International Awards Gala held in New York, alongside other dignitaries, including Pitroda. He added, "Soon after that period, several policy shifts were witnessed during the then Congress-led government."
Raising questions about possible influence, Bhandari asked, "Were these coincidences, or did external influence of Epstein attempt to shape decisions of Congress govt. Rahul Gandhi should answer!" He also wrote, "Epstein -- Congress Government's Valentine!"
Sibal, who quit the Congress in 2022, is currently serving as an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha.
Shehzad Poonawalla, another BJP spokesperson, also targeted the Congress over the matter. He asked on X, "What kind of Congress' 'mohabbat ki dukan' was going on with Epstein? Why did Kapil Sibal accept an award from Epstein-funded IIE?" He further asked, "Rahul Gandhi likes to speak a lot in Parliament, right? Will he say something about this now?"
Congress Demands Hardeep Singh Puri's Resignation
Meanwhile, Pawan Khera on Friday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, raising questions over his alleged interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and calling him "unfit to remain in position".
Speaking to ANI, Khera said, "Clearly, the Congress party is demanding the resignation of Hardeep Singh Puri. This person has no right to remain in his position. In the last 48 hours, he has only lied. We will raise this issue before the people of the country that this government is compromised, and that too with a person like Jeffrey Epstein."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)