NEW DELHI: Taking a dig at Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra over his Facebook status that read 'Mango men in a banana republic', anti-graft activist Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "Evidence pouring in from mango men from across the country. Mango men wud prove to be nemesis for the powerful."
Vadra's Facebook status angered many and India Against Corruption (IAC) activists called it an insult to the nation.
IAC member Kumar Vishwas told CNN-IBN: "Today Robert Vadra has written 'mango people in banana republic' on his Facebook page. He insulted our country because he is related with the most arrogant family ie the Gandhi family. He should apologise before the nation."
Facing criticisms for his post, Vadra had to eventually close his Facebook account. But before closing his Facebook account, Vadra posted: "Looks like some friends on my Facebook account lack a sense of humor. Whatever I post becomes a topic of debate on TV. So, I will deactivate my Facebook account now and open a new one with sensible friends."
Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan Friday alleged that Vadra had bought properties worth over Rs.300 crore between 2007 and 2010 with an interest-free unsecured loan of Rs.65 crore provided by DLF. They claimed that the properties were given at undervalued rates in exchange of favours allegedly received from Congress state governments in Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.
Vadra says Kejriwal maligning me for publicity
Robert Vadra issued a media statement rebutting the charge that realty major DLF had sweetened land deals worth Rs 300 crore for him in return for favours from the Congress governments in Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Vadra was quoted by agencies as saying he was "saddened by the attempt of (India Against Corruption leaders Arvind) Kejriwal and (Prashant) Bhushan to deliberately misrepresent numbers contained in my financial statements, manufacture lies against me and malign me and my family in order to gain cheap publicity for themselves and for the launch of their political party".
"My business transactions are fully reflected in financial statements filed before appropriate government authorities in compliance with the law. They are available in the public domain to anyone interested in knowing the truth," Vadra wrote.
A DLF statement had said it had given Rs 65 crore as "business advances", of which Rs 15 crore was fully refunded and Rs 50 crore used for land purchase. It said it had received no undue benefit from any state government.
Kejriwal alleged the DLF statement was "full of half truths and lies" and promised "a detailed response tomorrow". He said: "A lot of information has been suppressed. But does Vadra stand by the DLF response or does he have another version?" (Agencies)
Take a look at the scenes from the 50th International Paris Air Show, 2013. It is considered as the world's largest aviation and space industry show, and takes place at Le Bourget airport June 17-23.