Cong demands Guj CM's resignation over groundnut 'scam'

The Gujarat Congress Sunday demanded Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's resignation for admitting to a "scam" in the procurement of groundnuts in the state during the last Kharif season.

Talking to reporters here, Rupani Sunday said his government had taken "strong measures" to ensure that no "scam" takes place in procurement of groundnuts like it was seen in the previous Kharif season.

Rupani was reacting to the NAFED's admission that the central agency was not in a position to procure groundnuts in Gujarat due to irregularities seen in procurement during the last season.

"There was a scam in procurement of groundnut last year. In the interest of farmers, the state government has taken strong measures to ensure that no such scam takes place (again)," Rupani told reporters Sunday.

Speaking on the issue Sunday, Congress leader of opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, Paresh Dhanani, sought Rupani's resignation and a probe by a sitting judge into what he claimed was a Rs 4,000 crore groundnut scam.

Taking off on the Congress' "chowkidar" jibe for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhanani referred to Rupani as "havaldar" in a tweet.

"Now that the havaldar (guard) of the state which has gobbled up Rs 4,000 crore in groundnut scam has himself admitted of irregularities, there should be a probe by a sitting high court judge, and the state's havaldar involved in the corruption should resign", Dhanani tweeted, adding a video of Rupani's statement calling it a "scam."