The political spat over the issue of Facebook allegedly favouring the BJP took a turn for the worse on Thursday evening.
Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT operations, shared a letter by Congress MP Manish Tewari—who was information and broadcasting minister in the Manmohan Singh government—to Facebook.
The letter, dated August 18, refers to allegations in a report in The Wall Street Journal on Facebook's links to the BJP. Tewari seeks clarifications from Facebook on the claims made in The Wall Street Journal report.
Tewari added Facebook could contact his policy advisor, Dr Bharat Gopalaswamy, who was based in Washington D.C., for clarifications on his letter.
Malviya latched on to the reference to Gopalaswamy, alleging he was a lobbyist. Malviya tweeted, "This is a serious revelation and troublesome on multiple grounds. Can Indian MPs hire lobbyists in US masquerading as advisors? Whose interests do these US based lobbyists serve when they advise Congress MP Manish Tewari?"
Malviya posted a number of tweets about the links of Gopalaswamy and Tewari with the Atlantic Council, a think tank that has partnered with Facebook. Tewari had been distinguished senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Tewari responded to the tweets by Malviya, alleging his letter was sent to the BJP functionary by Facebook, without it being acknowledged. Tewari termed this as "collusion between certain elements [in] Facebook and certain elements in BJP".
Tewari tweeted, "Nothing demonstrates alleged collusion between certain elements @Facebook & certain elements in @BJP4India than tweeting of my letter to Facebook Senior Management sent-18th August 2020 in the evening by @amitmalviya… Who in Facebook gave letter to @amitmalviya without it... being even formally acknowledged by @FacebookDr. Bharat Gopalaswamy was Director of South Asia Centre at Atlantic Council. HE IS AN INDIAN. He advises me PRO-BONO on policy issues…”
Tewari also defended his association with the Atlantic Council, noting Gopalaswamy had stepped down as director of the South Asia Centre of the think tank last year.
Tewari highlighted ties between the BJP and the Atlantic Council, noting BJP spokesperson Jay Panda has succeeded him as non-resident senior fellow at the institution. Tewari also tweeted the Atlantic Council had hosted BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav.
CNN News 18 reported on Friday Gopalaswamy could sue Facebook over the letter 'leak'. The copy of the letter posted by Malviya mentions his phone number.
