Sonia backs Vadra, says Modi not 'Shehenshah'

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of behaving like a "Shehenshah", Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday backed her son-in-law Robert Vadra over the allegation that he owns a 'benami' property in London and termed the charge a political conspiracy.

She also dared the government to probe the allegation against Vadra 'unbiasedly'.

Sonia Gandhi, who was visiting her constituency Rae Bareli, said: "This is also a political conspiracy. What do you mean by Congress-mukt Bharat? Everyday they give excuses and level wrong allegations."

"If this (allegation) is true, then they should conduct an unbiased probe. Everything will become clear," said an angry Sonia Gandhi.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya on Monday sought detailed inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged involvement of Robert Vadra in the 2009 purchase of a 'benami' or proxy-owned mansion in London.

On the celebrations by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completion of two years in office, Gandhi said: "I have never seen anything like this, Modi ji is the PM, and not a Shehenshah (King)."

"Our nation is facing drought, poverty, farmers are in pain. At these times, such a 'show' is not appropriate," she said of the gala event held in New Delhi on Saturday night by the government.

The BJP hit back and said the Congress President's defence of her son-in-law vindicates the party's old charge that whatever Vadra does has the backing of the Gandhi family.

"Vadra has the blessings of 10 Janpath...That is why he has earned so much money. He can't be dubbed as a private citizen. Whatever he has done has the backing of Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi," BJP National Secretary Srikant Sharma told IANS.

"You can't separate Vadra from the Gandhi family. Sonia Gandhi coming out in support of Vadra has established our charges," he added.

The BJP's national media convenor said that the Congress President has been trying to "threaten" the BJP whenever there is a corruption charge against them.

"Congress has looted the nation and now they are coming out. Whenever there are corruption charges against the Congress and its family, they try to threaten us. We are not scared," he said.

On Sonia Gandhi's jibe at Prime Minister Modi that "he is the PM, and not a Shehenshah (emperor)", Sharma said, "Modi ji is a 'jan sewak'. Those who were Shehenshah are nowhere today. They were sent packing by voters in 2014. Those emperors are now on bail in the National Herald case involving corruption of over Rs 5,000 crore. They are in panic and in frustration," referring to the Gandhi family.

--IANS

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