BJP asks Rahul to explain Vadra deal

Continuing its attack on the Gandhi family, the BJP on Tuesday asked Rahul to explain how his brother-in-law Robert Vadra was given huge tracts of land at a throwaway price.

The attack, however, came in following Rahul’s criticism of “Gujarat model”. The BJP alleged that unqualified companies were given 2G spectrum and coal licenses.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, “He should do his homework before alleging that 45,000 acres of land were given to industrialists in Gujarat by the Narendra Modi government for Rs 1 per metre.”

“The land was given but not by Modi but by the Shankarsinh Vaghela government supported by the Congress. Rahul Gandhi should do some homework before making such allegations. This is an attempt to defame the Gujarat government and Modi and confuse people," party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

The BJP spokesperson also alleged that Vadra had links with a private company and was given land near Rashtrapati Bhawan. He said that Gandhi should explain it.

Gandhi had accused the BJP prime ministerial candidate of giving away land to select industrialists at throwaway prices. Terming the Gujarat model as a "toffee model", He said it has benefited one industrialist, and has ignored the interests of the farmers and the poor. “Has such land been acquired or purchased or a change of land use made and what is the formula for it? Rahul should also explain as to why a large chunk of land in the vicinity of Rashtrapati Bhawan has been allotted to a private company having links with his brother-in-law,” Javadekar asked.

“Rahul Gandhi must answer now as to why ineligible companies were given 2G spectrum licenses and coal blocks and how these companies were allotted licenses.

Congress must think twice before raising accusing fingers at anybody,” the BJP leader said.

Defending the Gujarat government, Javadekar said: “all state governments have their industrial policy and offer land to industries for raising production, taxes, as well as employment”. “If land is allotted as per the policy, nobody should raise objections.

But instead of answering the questions, they have adopted a policy of making wild accusations. This will not be tolerated either by the people or the BJP.”