BJP seeks inquiry into charges against Vadra, Khurshid

The BJP on Sunday demanded an impartial inquiry into allegations of misappropriation of funds and forgery by a non-governmental organisation run by Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid and his wife.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, BJP national spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said the allegations against the Khurshids were of a serious nature and a proper inquiry should be ordered immediately.

“He is the Law Minister of the country and is supposed to uphold law... The matter requires to be inquired into,” Prasad said.

Khurshid and his wife are facing allegations of financial misappropriation of Rs 71.5 lakh grants sanctioned by the Union Social Welfare and Empowerment Ministry to their NGO for distributing tricycles and hearing aids to disabled in several districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Prasad also demanded an independent inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into allegations that land belonging to dalits in Haryana had been sold to companies owned by AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law, Robert Vadra.

“It is very unfortunate and regrettable. An independent inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge should be ordered into the matter,” he said.

Earlier, inaugurating a workshop for BJP functionaries from across the State to orient them to expose the “misdeeds of UPA government,” Prasad sought an explanation from the Congress on how the Haryana Government could allot 120 acres to companies owned by Vadra for just Rs two crore.

‘Congress losing ground’

Referring to the results of the Lok Sabha bypolls announced on Saturday, Prasad said it was clear that the Congress was losing ground.

The Congress lost a seat (Tehri) held by its chief minister in Uttarakhand and barely managed to win another vacated by President Pranab Mukherjee in West Bengal.

“The verdict of the bypolls is an indication of growing anger against the anti-people policies of the UPA government. Elections can come anytime, we need to be prepared,” he told the audience.

He said the BJP still demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Commonwealth scam, 2G scam, Adarsh scam, airport land scam and coalgate scam have taken place during the tenure of Singh, he said.

Referring briefly to his own party, Prasad said if there were any shortcomings, the time had come to overcome them and take on the UPA government, he added.