Jebi Mather Backs Rahul Gandhi’s Musk Reply, Vows CEC Protest
Congress MP Jebi Mather supports Rahul Gandhi's reply to Elon Musk, alleging US and domestic interests are dictating Indian government policies.
Congress Member of Parliament Jebi Mather has thrown her full support behind Rahul Gandhi's recent exchange with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk regarding Starlink's entry into India. Mather alleged that the Indian government is currently being influenced by "two bosses"—one from the United States and another from powerful domestic interests.
Allegations of Foreign and Domestic Influence
Speaking to the media, Mather expanded on the narrative shared by Rahul Gandhi concerning the regulatory hurdles faced by Starlink. She claimed that the government's policy decisions are not entirely independent, suggesting that external pressures from the US are clashing with the agendas of influential players within India.
"Rahul Gandhiji has been speaking on the issue of how the US tries to play and how the controlling team here—who are they? Who decides what should be the government policies?" Mather questioned. She further asserted, "This government has two bosses: one from the US they dictate, two from here they dictate. Now, we have reached a point where this has reached a different level."
The controversy stems from Elon Musk’s comments regarding Starlink's struggle to secure a license in India despite five years of compliance. Rahul Gandhi had responded to Musk on X (formerly Twitter) by saying, "Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy," to which Musk replied that the situation was indeed "troubling."
The UPI and Corporate Concession Claims
Mather linked the Starlink issue to broader patterns of influence, citing the US government's past attempts to impact India's digital payment landscape. She claimed that as UPI and RuPay gained global strength, American payment giants like Mastercard and Visa faced competition, leading to political pressure.
She specifically pointed to exemptions in UPI charges, alleging they were strategically applied. "This exemption was given to whom? For the telecom sector, and who is in the telecom sector? Reliance. Who is the exemption given to power? Who is heading power? Adani is heading power," Mather claimed, suggesting that concessions are being directed toward major Indian business groups.
Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner Continues
Shifting focus to the ongoing political friction within the Election Commission, Mather reiterated the Opposition's demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. She stated that the protest is not a fleeting event but a sustained campaign across the country.
The MP alleged that the CEC's decision-making process is flawed and lacks transparency. According to Mather:
- The primary demand remains the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.
- Other Election Commissioners have repeatedly raised concerns regarding his performance and control.
- Dissent notes from other commissioners are reportedly being ignored.
- Decisions are being made unilaterally, allegedly following government instructions.
Mather concluded by emphasizing that the Opposition would continue its agitation until the CEC steps down, maintaining that the concerns raised by fellow commissioners must be addressed.