The Bharatiya Janata Party leader made the allegation in a video statement on November 14, intensifying a dispute over the gathering, where Gandhi addressed delegates and criticised the state of democracy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sanjay offered no evidence that Gandhi’s departure reflected the summit’s outcome. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had addressed its valedictory session, according to a statement issued by the Congress party.
The minister also accused Gandhi of using the international platform to disparage the country and discuss domestic political disputes before foreign representatives. He characterised the gathering as an “anti-India summit”, alleging that people opposed to the country’s progress had assembled there.
His criticism followed Gandhi’s assertion that India’s democratic institutions had suffered under the BJP-led government since 2014. Gandhi told the gathering that democratic debate required a willingness to listen to opposing views and attacked political leaders he described as fascists.
Sanjay rejected that assessment, accusing the Congress of concentrating power within the Gandhi family. He questioned whether an ordinary party worker could rise to its leadership without the family’s approval and challenged Gandhi to examine democratic practices within his own organisation.
“First, bring democracy back into your party. Then talk about democracy in the country!” Sanjay said.
He also invoked the Emergency imposed under a previous Congress government and the anti-Sikh violence of 1984, arguing that the opposition party had its own record to answer for when discussing democratic rights. His references formed part of a wider political rebuttal rather than evidence concerning the summit’s organisation.
The minister disputed Gandhi’s allegations about electoral roll deletions. He said removing the names of deceased voters, duplicate entries and people who had permanently moved was necessary to maintain accurate electoral records. He also questioned whether people who were not eligible to vote should remain registered.
Sanjay accused Gandhi of challenging electronic voting machines, ballot papers and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls depending on electoral outcomes. Those criticisms concerned the opposition leader’s political positions and did not establish whether any particular allegation of electoral malpractice was true.
Addressing Gandhi’s claims about spending during the 2014 general election, Sanjay urged him to produce evidence before the Election Commission and seek judicial scrutiny rather than make allegations in public.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, meanwhile, has defended the summit as an opportunity to introduce the state to policymakers, thinkers and potential investors from abroad. He accused the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi of obstructing government initiatives for political reasons.
Reddy said the government had expected 1,000 delegates from 70 countries and hoped their participation would strengthen Telangana’s international connections. These were the organisers’ expectations, not independently verified final attendance figures.
The chief minister also alleged that the central government had prevented some invited international delegates from travelling to India, including through visa restrictions. Gandhi echoed those complaints during his summit address and apologised to those unable to attend. The disputed circumstances of individual visa decisions were not established at the gathering.
The two-day event brought together political figures and policy specialists from different countries. It was backed by the Telangana government and presented as a forum for discussing democracy, development and international cooperation.
The political confrontation extended outside the venue on Saturday. Activists affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha protested near the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, shouted slogans against Gandhi and displayed placards. Police detained protesters and moved them away from the premises.
Gandhi also participated in a programme concerning social security and welfare for gig workers during his Hyderabad visit. Telangana’s government promoted the initiative alongside the summit, while BJP leaders questioned its record on commitments to other sections of the workforce.
Sanjay separately challenged the state government over promises to tenant farmers, asking why they were represented at the summit when, he alleged, their concerns remained unresolved.
Before Saturday’s remarks, he had sought accounts of spending on the gathering and questioned the use of public funds. He also demanded information about expenditure and outcomes associated with an earlier summit, including investments, employment and implementation of commitments.
