JD (U) plays safe on Rahul Gandhi's allegation against PM, says matter is sub-judice

The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday refrained from commenting on the charges levelled against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of receiving kickbacks from the Sahara Group as the Gujarat Chief Minister and said that the Supreme Court would decide whether there is merit in the allegations.

"The Supreme Court will decide whether there is merit in the allegations and those who have made the allegations will be required to produce the evidence. On the basis of that, if there is enough evidence to initiate an investigation, we would like an impartial probe. But the matter is sub-judice and we should understand that. Merely allegations and counter-allegations in this matter are not relevant," JD (U) leader Pavan K. Varma told ANI.

Another JD (U) leader K.C. Tyagi said that such allegations have been made against the Prime Minister earlier also, adding the latter must issue a clarification in this regard.

"Rahul Gandhi is a strong leader of the opposition and the allegations levelled by him have come in public domain. The allegations are based on the findings of the Income Tax files," said Tyagi.

Speaking in Gujarat's Mehsana yesterday, Gandhi alleged that in the records with the Income Tax, there were notings of Sahara officials' claims that they paid Prime Minister Modi nine times between October 2013 and February 2014 and that the total amount was Rs. 40 crore.

He also alleged that according to documents with the IT department, the Birla Group too paid Rs. 12 crore to the Prime Minister.

Seeking an independent inquiry, Gandhi said that he was raising the issue "on behalf of the country".