Gandhi family in BJP's sights over Amethi land row

BJP plans to target the Gandhi family in a big way over the alleged sale to a trust run by it of land meant for a bicycle factory here and said the party is awaiting the local administration's action on a complaint over the matter before proceeding with such programmes.
Citing a report of the CAG, which had questioned the transfer of the land's ownership to Samrat Bicycles, as well as Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC)'s complaint that the land belonged to it, a BJP leader said that the Rajiv Gandhi Trust had bought a piece of land which was never meant to be sold.

A senior party leader alleged to the media today that there was likely a link between the company, which acquired over 65 acres of land in 1980s when Congress ruled Uttar Pradesh, and the opposition party.
"UPSIDC had complained to the local administration. We will wait for its action before we proceed with our further course of action," she told reporters.
The BJP leader, who did not want to be quoted, alleged that the trust was in the possession of the land since 2011, but moved papers only in 2015.
Union Minister Smriti Irani had raked up the issue on Sunday during a tour of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's constituency, charging the family with "land grabbing", an allegation dismissed as "wild and baseless" by Congress.

She had claimed that 65 acres of farmers' land, acquired for the setting up of the bicycle factory, was sold to the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust on February 24 this year.

"Sixty-five acres of farmers' land was acquired for (bicycle) factory in the 80s. Did the factory come up, did anyone get a job, what happened to the land?
"No one can dare to speak... But it is on stamp paper. The land was bought by Rajiv Gandhi Trust," she had said.
Referring to his stand in connection with the land Bill that he will not let anyone take an inch of farmers' land, Irani had taken a dig at Rahul Gandhi saying "he is indicating perhaps that he wants to take the land for himself. The documents are in public domain".

Terming the allegations as "absolutely wild and baseless", Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "I don't understand the connection between the closure of Samrat Bicycles and the purchasing and auction under court orders."
He said it demonstrated "utter irresponsibility" that a Union Minister should have levelled such allegations.