NEW DELHI: Divulging more details on the improper dealings between Robert Vadra and property developer DLF Ltd, India Against Corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference today asked whether there was a nexus between DLF and the Haryana government?
"The Haryana government has become an agent of DLF, it is not a people's government," Kejriwal told the media, and asked Haryana to bring out a white paper on its dealings with the company. He cited court records and other documents to back his allegations.
Kejriwal alleged that the Haryana government had allotted land meant for an hospital to DLF to set up a special economic zone. DLF then founded a new company in the name of DLF SEZ in which Robert Vadra was the 50 per cent shareholder.
Demanding a white paper into the nexus, Kejriwal alleged that the Congress government in Haryana benefited DLF by giving away land at cheap rates.
"The Punjab and Haryana High Court has said that they (Haryana government and DLF) have a malafide nexus," Kejriwal said, reading from a document.
Taking a dig at Vadra for his Facebook comment of "Mango people in banana republic", Kejriwal said all the farmers whose land had been "usurped" had come to him with the evidence.
"In one week the mango people have collected a lot of evidence."
Kejriwal, who distributed documentary evidence to the media, accused the Haryana government of giving out land at cheap rates to the DLF.
"Panchayat land has been handed over to DLF, HUDA land has been handed over to DLF, FAR (floor area ratio) has been increased for DLF, land use rule have been changed (for DLF)," he said.
Several farmers who alleged that the Haryana government had usurped land from them, using fraudulent methods, also spoke at the press conference.
Kejriwal had earlier promised to disclose the alleged favours granted to DLF. "DLF granted favours to Robert Vadra. What favours did Haryana Govt grant DLF? How is DLF reply a bunch of lies? Will speak tomorrow at 5pm," Kejriwal tweeted.
Robert Vadra, a flamboyant businessmen who is married to the daughter of the ruling Congress party chief, has denied the accusations, levelled by anti-corruption activists, of improper dealings with DLF, India's biggest property developer.
Arvind Kejriwal, who is setting up an anti-corruption political party, accused DLF on Friday of arranging favourable loans and real estate transactions for Vadra. The claims were detailed in a document posted on the group's web site.
"We would like to state that the business relationship of DLF with Mr Robert Vadra or his companies has been in his capacity as an individual entrepreneur, on a completely transparent and at an arm's length basis," DLF said in a statement.
Vadra also issued a statement calling the accusations "utterly false, entirely baseless and defamatory".
As a member of India's widely revered "first family", Vadra is close to the centre of power. Sonia Gandhi is known to play a major role in decision-making on big policy issues and her son, Rahul, is seen by many in the Congress party as a strong contender to be the next prime minister.
The businessman condemned what he said were attempts to "deliberately misrepresent numbers contained in my financial statements, manufacture lies and malign my family in order to gain cheap publicity for them and for the launch of their political party".
Vadra married Sonia Gandhi's daughter, Priyanka Gandhi, in 1997. A fitness lover with a thin moustache, chiselled torso and enthusiasm for motorbikes, Vadra stepped into the limelight this year by announcing a possible move into politics.
On Monday, government ruled out an inquiry into allegations of dealings between Robert Vadra and DLF Ltd, even as the firm's shares plunged on the claims.
"I think those who made their allegations have made their statement, the company concerned has made a statement and the individual concerned has made a statement," Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters.
"Now beyond that, I have no facts and unless there is a specific allegation of quid pro quo or corruption, I am afraid private transactions cannot and ought not to be allowed to questioned on the basis of imputations and insinuations."
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