Guj Assembly adjourned over graft charges against BJP minister

Congress alleged Agriculture Minister Dileep Sanghani under the Gujarat Horticulture Mission had got approved green house project for 11 of his family members in Amreli district.

Congress MLA Baku Unghag alleged those who received benefits were three brothers, their wives and other relatives of Sanghani, while none of the other applications from the district were approved.

According to the party, the total benefit under the scheme availed by family members of Sanghani was over Rs 32 crore.

The allegations led to furore in the House.

Sanghani in his reply to question raised by Unghag, rejected the charges, saying all the 11 applications of his family members were accepted under the Gujarat Horticulture Mission green house project at the district level but were rejected when the applications reached the state government.

Congress, however, said the application of Sanghani's family members were rejected by the state government only after a RTI application brought the scam to light.

Speaker Ganpat Vasava then ordered the House to take up other business but the Opposition MLAs insisted on further discussion on the issue.

However, the Speaker rejected their demand following which Congress MLAs began shouting slogan 'corrupt minister should be removed'. When the Congress sloganeering continued, the Speaker adjourned the house for half-an-hour.

Later, leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said though the applications were rejected, corruption done by the state minister stands and he should be dropped from the ministry.