Kapil Sibal ‘gifted’ Ambani firm Rs 650 crore: Harsh Vardhan

NEW DELHI: After Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP has launched a scathing attack on Congress for "favouring" the Ambanis. On Tuesday, Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan, who is contesting from Chandni Chowk, alleged that his electoral rival, telecom minister Kapil Sibal, "gifted" a Rs 650-crore penalty waiver to Anil Ambani's company Reliance Communications Limited, which was fined for " switching off services in 13 circles" in 2010.

Vardhan also accused AAP, which has been attacking Mukesh Ambani, of sitting quiet on Sibal's alleged bounty to RCL. "He has deprived the country of Rs 650 crore which RCOM should have paid for switching off the services in 13 circles in the northeastern sector. Sibal waived the penalty with no valid explanation. Interestingly, AAP is silent on this issue. They either don't know about it or prefer to remain silent as it suits them. I demand a judicial inquiry," said Vardhan. He showed documents to support his claim.

With less than 10 days left for polling in the city, Congress leaders see it as a desperate attempt by BJP to topple Sibal, the sitting MP. "He doesn't understand law and the contours of civilized politics. All I can do is take pity. If they are so concerned, why don't they file a complaint," said Sibal while dismissing the allegations.

Targeting AAP, Vardhan said, "AAP is attacking everyone. But they preferred to keep quiet on this issue. Their silence proves that they are the B-team of Congress". But AAP leader Prashant Bhushan, who had first raised the issue in 2011 and filed a petition in the Supreme Court, said BJP is ignorant about the developments in the case. "We were the first to raise the issue. We have filed a complaint in CBI and CVC in this regard. But it is still pending,'' said Bhushan.

An RCOM spokesperson said, "RCOM strongly refutes these wild, baseless and politically motivated allegations. The alleged penalty of Rs 650 crore was completely unsustainable, and there is no question of any illegal waiver".

Chandni Chowk is set for a three-cornered fight between BJP, Congress and AAP. Despite strong anti-incumbency, Sibal, a two-term MP, is a strong contender.