BJP attacks Robert Vadra for evading taxes

ALLAHABAD: BJP alleged that Robert Vadra had not filed tax returns since 2011 for more than two dozen companies he owns and demanded UPA government to answer why it was so lenient towards him.

Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that Vadra had "purchased thousands of acres of land in Congress-ruled Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi at throw away prices and had made money by selling these for exorbitant amounts in collusion with shady businessmen."

"There are a total of 26 companies which Vadra has floated since 2007. Since 2011, returns have not been filed for any of these companies. If a middle class individual fails to file his returns, the Income Tax Department starts serving him notices.

We would like to know from the Union Government and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as to why so much of leniency has been shown towards Vadra," he said while addressing a press conference here.

Somaiya also lashed out at Union Minister Kapil Sibal for his assertion that a judicial commission to probe the "snoopgate" issue allegedly involving Narendra Modi will be in place by May 16, and urged the Election Commission to take note of the statement.

Vijay Goel, who had accompanied Somaiya to the city for taking stock of Narendra Modi's rally scheduled for Sunday, attacked Sibal for his snoopgate related statement saying that "he is a minister in an outgoing government and he is trying to mislead people by these gimmicks".

"The Election Commission should take note of Sibal's statement. We believe making such an announcement while elections are on is not appropriate," Goel said.

"Modi has faced many false allegations regarding communal riots, fake encounters etc. But all charges against him have been proven to be false. As a result, today he stands tall as the most popular leader in the country," Goel added.

Dalit activist and BJP leader Udit Raj attacked Mayawati saying the BSP chief "never allowed any Dalit leader to grow and never treated any member of the community with respect."

He said "nobody has insulted the Dalits as much as the BSP supremo."