Modi subverted constitutional authority: Congress

NEW DELHI: Escalating its attack on Narendra Modi over "crony capitalism", Congress accused the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate of "subversion" of the constitutional authority to favour industrial houses.

Dragging Advocate General of Gujarat Kamal Trivedi's name, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi claimed a law firm in which the AG's wife is a partner represents Adani, Nirma and ESSAR.

"Interestingly, Trivedi and Gupta Advocates represented Nirma against government of Gujarat in 142 matters over the last few years and 98 out of them have been decided against the government of Gujarat.

"In 24 such matters filed by Nirma against the state of Gujarat, Kamal Trivedi had represented the state of Gujarat as Advocate General and his wife's firm represented Nirma and the state of Gujarat lost," Singhvi alleged.

Singhvi alleged a seventy-minute conversation of Kamal Trivedi was presented in a pen drive by suspended IPS official G L Singhal having discussion with three Gujarat ministers and the Secretary to the Chief Minister and lawyers regarding Ishrat Jahan encounter case and discussing the manner in which the accused can be helped to circumvent law.

He also charged Modi had given 8500 acres of land to Nirma for setting up of a cement factory out of which 1000 acres was reservoir land in Bhavnagar.

"This is not a matter concerning the Advocate General only. The issue is flagrant absue of constitutioal authority to promote crony capitalism by Modi in a well-planned manner to benefit his corporate friends through the resources of the state," he said posing a series of questions to the Chief Minister and BJP.