India needs level playing field for fair business competition: Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday demanded a level playing field where businesses can compete fairly, pledging that the Congress party would dismantle what he termed a "chain of crony capitalism" if given the opportunity.

"Congress party and I are committed to breaking this chain of crony capitalism and building an economy driven by innovation and hard work -- not political patronage," Gandhi said in a post on his WhatsApp channel.

His remarks come amid a high-profile exchange with US entrepreneur Elon Musk, who questioned whether Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani holds disproportionate influence over Indian policy. The exchange occurred as Starlink, Musk's satellite internet venture, faces regulatory hurdles in India. Gandhi responded to Musk's query with a cryptic reference to "the other guy," later elaborating his concerns through a video montage of their online interaction.

Gandhi emphasized that his criticism is not directed at business or entrepreneurs themselves. "I am not anti-business; I am anti-monopoly," he stated, framing his position as one opposing market dominance rather than enterprise generally.

The Opposition leader's comments reflect ongoing political tensions over economic policy and the distribution of government benefits to major industrial groups, a recurring theme in Indian politics.