Referencing a news report, the Kerala Congress X handle suggested that Zinta’s recent show of support for the ruling NDA government was linked to allegations that her ₹18 crore loan from New India Co-operative Bank, had been written off while depositors remained in distress.
Published Feb 25, 2025 | 5:59 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Synopsis: The Congress in Kerala is facing criticism for sharing unsubstantiated claims that the New India Co-operative Bank had waived actress Preity Zinta’s ₹18 crore loan. In a strongly worded response, Zinta clarified that she had fully repaid the loan amount over a decade ago, prompting the party to backtrack.
The Congress in Kerala is facing backlash after its official X handle shared an unsubstantiated news report alleging financial irregularities involving Mumbai-based New India Co-operative Bank and Bollywood actor-turned-entrepreneur Preity Zinta.
The news report alleged that Zinta’s ₹18 crore loan from the beleaguered bank, which the RBI suspended on 13 February due to liquidity issues and supervisory concerns, was written off whilst depositors were left in distress.
She gave her social media accounts to BJP and got 18 Cr written off and the bank collapsed last week.
Depositors are on the streets for their money. pic.twitter.com/UnEMMUgslY
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 24, 2025
The RBI had superseded the bank’s board and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs.
On 24 February, it announced limited relief for depositors, allowing withdrawals of up to ₹25,000 per depositor, covering more than 50 percent of account holders.
However, Zinta, in a strongly worded response, denied the report, calling them “fake news” and putting the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) digital media team on the defensive.
The official X handle of Kerala Congress has been garnering national attention over the past year for its clever use of the digital zeitgeist to launch scathing attacks on the BJP, its affiliates and the Union government.
However, its post on Tuesday, 24 February, targeting Zinta didn’t hit the mark the KPCC media cell probably wanted to.
Referencing a news report from the Savera Times, the X handle implied that Zinta’s recent support for the ruling NDA government – through her social posts praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, government initiatives and visits to the Maha Kumbh Mela – was linked to the allegations in the report.
“She gave her social media accounts to BJP and got 18 Cr written off and the bank collapsed last week. Depositors are on the streets for their money,” the post read.
The report in question stated that ex-employees of New India Co-operative Bank had alerted the RBI in January 2020 about financial irregularities under then-chairman Hiren Bhanu.
The report also alleged other irregularities alongside the one against Zinta. But the allegations were attributed only to unnamed “whistleblowers” and the report didn’t provide any evidence to substantiate the claims.
No I operate my social media accounts my self and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS ! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party or their representative is promoting fake news & indulging in vile gossip & click baits using my name &… https://t.co/cdnEvqnkYx
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) February 25, 2025
A day later, on Wednesday, 25 February, Zinta responded through her official X handle, rejecting the allegations outright:
“No, I operate my social media accounts myself and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party or their representative is promoting fake news & indulging in vile gossip & click baits using my name & images,” she wrote.
“For the record, a loan was taken and FULLY PAID BACK – over 10 years ago. Hope this clarifies and helps so there are no misunderstandings in the future.”
Later, in a separate post, she expressed frustration over misinformation in the media and the lack of accountability for false reports:
“So much misinformation going around but thank god for social media and thank god for X! All through my career I have seen so many so respected journalists get so many stories completely wrong & never have the decency to correct the story or apologise,” she wrote.
“I have also gone to court and spent a tonne of money fighting cases that go on & on & on. I think it’s time we start holding them responsible right here so there is some accountability in the future.”
Following Zinta’s rebuttal, the Congress responded on X, attempting to shift the focus back to the plight of depositors rather than directly confronting the actress:
“Good to know you’re managing your own account, unlike other celebs who have handed theirs over to the notorious IT cell,” the account wrote. “Thanks for the clarification, Preity Zinta regarding your loan position. We are glad to accept mistakes if we have made any.”
It continued: “We shared the news as reported by media outlets… We are standing with the depositors who lost their savings. If the reports are wrong, we request you to clear the air with proof once for all and raise your voice in their interest too.”
Good to know you’re managing your own account, unlike other celebs who have handed theirs over to the notorious IT cell.
Thanks for the clarification, @realpreityzinta regarding your loan position. We are glad to accept mistakes if we have made any.
We shared the news as… https://t.co/4aouqLaWue
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 25, 2025
When approached by South First, the KPCC media cell stated that they had shared the “news as reported by media outlets”. KPCC Digital Media Cell Convenor and former MLA VT Balram reaffirmed the same view.
“If that report is incorrect, Preity Zinta and the media should respond to it. Why is no media house addressing the real issue?” he told South First.
“This should not be framed as ‘Preity Zinta vs Congress Kerala.’ Our X-handling cell has already stated that if the report is wrong, they are willing to acknowledge it.”
However, former KPCC Digital Media Cell Convenor P Sarin was unimpressed with the Congress’s handling of the issue, stating:
“The Congress itself has stepped back from the values it once upheld, so I have no comments on that. I will look into the issue, which has now tarnished the image of the Congress media cell at the national level.”
Sarin parted ways with the Congress after the party denied him a ticket to contest the Novermber 2024 Assembly bypoll from Palakkad. He unsuccessfully contested the poll as the CPI(M) candidate.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
