New Delhi: Entrepreneur and the ruling party president's son-in-law Robert Vadra now faces allegations of financial impropriety after anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal alleged at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday that construction major DLF gave an unsecured and interest-free loan worth Rs 65 crore to companies owned by him.
Kejriwal and senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan claimed that Vadra's companies allegedly used that money to buy seven DLF flats worth Rs 35 crore for a rock bottom price of Rs 5 crore. The five firms that were used to buy the flats are allegedly owned by Vadra and his mother.
The latest attack by the India Against Corruption (IAC) member against the Congress raises a few key questions. Vadra is yet to come out in defence of himself, with many questioning the silence on his part. Critics even lashed out at the Congress for defending a 'non-party member'. Many now ask whether the government should order an income tax probe into the assets of Robert Vadra. Many feel that the latest allegations against a member of Sonia's family might be more damaging to the Congress than the 2G, coal and CWG scams. Many suggest a review of all land allocations to DLF in Haryana. Will that be done, is something that remains to be seen.
Stepping up the attack on Vadra, Bhushan, along with Kejriwal, alleged that he had earlier owned properties worth Rs 50 lakh and now his properties were worth Rs 300 crore. They raised a demand to probe the allegation. The duo further questioned if the DLF got land allotments among other favours in return. Later, speaking on the issue, Bhushan pointed that Vadra had registered five companies and owned four penthouses of 10,000 square feet each. He further alleged that Vadra had purchased properties worth Rs 70 crore and all were funded by the DLF, adding that he and his mother were now owners of five companies.
"DLF is giving properties to Vadra as it is receiving favours from Haryana and Delhi governments. We demand full inquiry into this…we need to know whose black money is into these properties," Bhushan said. Bhushan further accused Vadra of getting more undervalued properties from DLF at Greater Kailash, Bikaner, Manesar, Palval and Gurgaon, adding the properties are worth several crores.
The Congress party did not take much time in putting up a high-voltage defence over the allegations with party president Sonia Gandhi herself issuing a brief statement claiming that her son-in-law is clean. "Robert Vadra is a businessman. His transactions are transparent and above board. There has been no misuse of either the office of the Gandhi family or any misuse by Vadra," said the UPA chairperson. However, the silence on part of Vadra himself is puzzling to say the least.
Congress, BJP's war of words
Speaking to mediapersons, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni called Kejriwal and Bhushan's allegations against Vadra "baseless" saying that the two did not have any proof. "Everyone has the right to do own business. Robert Vadra is also a citizen of the country and he has the right to do any business," said the Congress leader. Calling DLF a reputed business house of the country, Soni said that it was the prerogative of the company to give loan to anyone on whatever conditions it wished, and similarly, a businessman had the right to take a loan from a different entity on whatever conditions he wished. She pointed that there was nothing wrong in the transactions between Vadra and DLF as the details had been furnished before the designated authorities. "Personal allegations should not be leveled against anyone without any proof," said the Union Minister.
The Congress further termed the allegations as "politically motivated" and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might be behind it. Talking to mediapersons, senior Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said, "Robert is a businessman. Even before he got married to Priyanka, he had declared everything." "There is no proof that DLF was given any favour by him. There is no harm in taking any loan from any private company", asserted Shukla, adding that Vadra had nothing to hike.
Meanwhile, reacting to the allegations, the BJP hit out at the Congress saying it was immaterial as to who put the allegations, but if there were allegations, they must be investigated. Launching a direct attack on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over the issue, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "This loot has been allowed by Sonia Gandhi. There should be full inquiry into the allegations." Demanding a judicial inquiry, the BJP leader said, "After coalgate, this is loot of property... 10 Janpath has become a house for property dealings."
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the claims of Kejriwal and Bhushan as "serious allegations against Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law". He said, "DLF is a profit making company. Was this company doing charity alongwith Robert Vadra?"
Meanwhile, construction major DLF also issued a statement saying its relations with Vadra were "totally transparent". DLF, in its statement, said, "Our business relations with Robert Vadra are completely transparent. The relationship was conducted to the highest standard of ethics."
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