NEW DELHI: Elon Musk on Saturday intensified his criticism of industrialist Mukesh Ambani by sharing screenshots of media reports alleging that a Reliance-funded firm helped boost BJP campaigns on social media and that a Reliance-linked company made substantial political donations to the ruling party. The posts came a few hours after he addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” and asked him to let Starlink compete in India. Reliance Jio did not respond to a request for comment on Musk’s remarks. The allegations in the reports are claims made by media outlets, and they have not been proven in court.
Background: How the Starlink Dispute Began
The row grew out of Starlink’s long wait to enter the Indian market. SpaceX’s satellite internet unit is seeking entry into a telecom market with more than a billion internet users, which is currently dominated by the mobile networks of Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel. The launch of the service has been delayed, and the company’s approval is still pending.
On October 6, Musk wrote on X that Starlink was being blocked by certain “oligarchs” who wanted to keep a “monopolistic chokehold” on the Indian people. Two days later, India’s government rejected the claim as baseless and said that its framework is fair and non-discriminatory. Musk then named Ambani directly, which turned a policy dispute into a personal confrontation.
Details: What Musk Posted and What the Reports Say
On Friday, October 9, Musk addressed Ambani on X as “Prime Minister Ambani” and accused him of protecting a monopoly. He wondered whether Ambani would allow his satellite service to compete. He also wrote that Starlink has been essential in saving lives during natural disasters around the world, when other communication systems failed, and said that it would help men, women and children across India.
On Saturday, he posted screenshots of two reports. The first was a 2022 Al Jazeera report headlined “How a Reliance-funded firm boosts BJP’s campaigns on Facebook.” The second was an archived 2024 Indian Express report about a company called Qwik Supply, which reported that the Reliance-linked firm donated ₹385 crore to the BJP and ₹25 crore to the Shiv Sena through electoral bonds.
Electoral bonds were a funding method that allowed donors to give money to political parties without disclosing their names to the public. India’s Supreme Court struck the scheme down in 2024, but the donations in the Indian Express report were made while it was in force. The posts came while the India Mobile Congress, the country’s major annual telecom event, was being held in Delhi.
Quotes: What Each Side Has Said
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said India does not allow monopoly in any sector. A report also quoted the government as saying that three companies have received satellite communication licences, and that the public conversation is focusing on only one of them. Musk has described the situation as a “monopolistic chokehold,” a phrase he used earlier this week.
A BJP leader also criticised the opposition Congress in the context of an exchange between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Musk on X, according to PTI. The details of that exchange were not given in the reports reviewed.
Note for the writer: if Reliance Jio, Ambani’s office or the BJP issue a statement, add it here. Do not publish invented quotes.
Impact: Business, Politics and Public Debate
The dispute matters because it mixes business competition with party politics. For Starlink, the aim is to get final approval and spectrum for a market where mobile data is cheap and widely used. For Reliance and Airtel, the arrival of a global satellite player could change competition, especially in rural and remote areas.
It also shows how social media posts by a billionaire can quickly become a political issue. By sharing reports about political donations, Musk has pulled the ruling party and the opposition into a debate about money and influence in Indian politics. Supporters see it as a demand for transparency, while critics see it as a business pressure tactic from a company that wants a licence.
For readers in the wider region, it is another example of how satellite internet is becoming a matter of national security and policy, and not only technology. Governments in several countries, including India and Pakistan, are still working out how to regulate it.
Conclusion: What to Watch Next
The key questions are whether Starlink receives final approval and spectrum, and how the government will answer Musk’s latest posts. Reliance has not yet commented, so any reply from the company or from political parties could change the direction of the story.
Further updates will follow as officials, companies and political parties respond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is rich, Elon Musk or Ambani?
Elon Musk is far richer. According to Forbes’ real-time billionaires list on October 9 and 10, 2026, Musk’s net worth was around $1 trillion, which puts him in first place in the world after rallies in SpaceX and Tesla shares. Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, was worth roughly $80 to $84 billion on Forbes’ real-time list in late September and early October, which placed him around 24th to 25th place globally. These figures change daily with share prices, and different trackers, such as Bloomberg, use different methods. Readers who need exact numbers should check Forbes or Bloomberg on the day of publication.
Who is Elon Musk’s biggest enemy?
There is no official “biggest enemy,” and the term is subjective. Musk has had public disputes with many people and organisations over the years. These include OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, with whom he has fought in public and in court, as well as political figures, regulators and some media outlets. In 2025, he also had a high-profile falling out with US President Donald Trump, and relations have changed since then. Right now, the Starlink row has put him in a public dispute with Mukesh Ambani and has drawn the attention of India’s government. Because these conflicts change quickly, readers should rely on recent, trusted news reports.
What are the allegations against Mukesh Ambani?
The recent allegations come from media reports that Musk shared on X. A 2022 Al Jazeera report alleged that a Reliance-funded firm helped boost BJP campaigns on Facebook, and a 2024 Indian Express report said that a Reliance-linked company, Qwik Supply, donated ₹385 crore to the BJP and ₹25 crore to the Shiv Sena through electoral bonds. Musk has also accused Ambani of protecting a monopoly in telecom, which the Indian government has rejected. These are claims, and the reports reviewed did not mention any court finding. Reliance Jio did not respond to a request for comment. Readers should read the original reports and any official responses before drawing conclusions.
