Congress member Shehzad Poonawalla has discarded the claims made by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala defending the party from allegations of connection with Cambridge Analytics, which is alleged to have leaked personal information.

Poonawalla dismissed the statement made by Surjewala claiming no connection between Congress and Cambridge Analytica.

“Mr Surjewala has said that Congress has no relation with Cambridge Analytica and its Indian partner, Ovleno. This is the firm which is now in question for allegedly manipulating Facebook & taking data without authorisation. His claim is absolutely false,” said Poonawalla.

He cited reports in newspapers on Congress-Cambridge Analytica connections and claimed that CEO of Ovleno, Indian partner of Cambridge Analytica, contacted him.

“There have been reports in reputed newspapers since 2017 if there were no relations why did he not say this at that time? CEO of Ovleno, was in touch with me in 2011-2012 & was approaching me to get some kind of work done through Congress,” said Poonawalla.

“There is concrete proof that Amrish Tyagi of Oveleno was in touch with Rahul Gandhi and team. There was nothing till now, but today when Law Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad has raised the point, some kind of white washing is being attempted,” added Poonawalla.

Earlier in the day, Prasad had accused Congress of leaking data to the company following which Randeep Surjewala had addressed a press conference denying the former’s claims.