Data leak case: BJP demands apology, Congress tells government to file complaint agains Cambridge Analytica

Minutes after Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded apology from Congress on Cambridge Analytica issue, party’s spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded the BJP-led government to name the NRI businessman who allegedly worked with the UK firm to bring down the UPA government in 2014.

“Who was the NRI businessman who hired Cambridge Analytica in the run-up polls to manufacture false propaganda to bring down the UPA government in 2014,” said Surjewala to reporters at a press conference.

Further attacking the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader questioned, “Why did the government not lodge a complaint against Facebook, Cambridge Analytica and its Indian partner in connection to the data theft issue.”

“The BJP is trying to divert major issues and is engaged in blame game,” Surjewala added.

The BJP minister had demanded apology from the Congress, saying that the “truth has been revealed”.

“Rahul Gandhi needs to apologise to the nation for trying to subvert India’s election process using the Brahmastra of Cambridge Analytica,” Prasad told the reporters..

Referring to the Cambridge Analytica whistleblowers Christopher Wylie’s deposition, Prasad said, “The firm worked for the Congress party. This vindicates what we have been saying from day one.”

Earlier in the day, Wylie deposing before the digital, culture, media and sport committee of the British Parliament had that Cambridge Analytica had worked on “all kinds of projects” in India and Congress was its client.