The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) traded jibes over allegations by controversial Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor that he was ‘forced’ to buy an MF Husain painting from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, proceeds of which allegedly went towards the medical treatment of Ms. Sonia Gandhi.
‘The Congress should answer to this (Rana Kapoor’s statement) that a banker used to buy Congress leaders paintings in crores of rupees. This is not the first time an allegation was put against Congress. This shows that its only job was to sell the country,’ news agency ANI quoted BJP leader Anurag Thakur.
Congress should answer to this (Rana Kapoor’s statement), that a banker used to buy Congress leaders paintings in crores of rupees. This is not the first time an allegation was put against Congress, this shows that their only job was to sell the country: Union Min Anurag Thakur pic.twitter.com/NzshKyXRbt
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2022
The former Yes Bank CEO has also alleged that then petroleum minister Murli Deora told him not buying the painting would prevent him from ‘building a relationship with the Gandhis and could ‘affect his chances of getting the Padma Bhushan,’ India’s third-highest civilian award.
Mr. Kapoor’s statement is part of the chargesheet filed by the ED in a special court in Mumbai. It was recorded on 9 March and 10 March 2020 and the Congress has now accused the BJP of ‘planned leaks.’
The Congress has not denied the transaction between Kapoor and Gandhi, saying it took place 12 years ago.
Calling Mr. Kapoor a fraudster, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told the media at a press conference on Sunday, ‘This man makes allegations against dead people and the Bharatiya Janata Party just wants to keep the pot boiling.’
‘2010 transaction is related to a person who is behind bars for years. Twenty to 30 bail applications have been rejected, this man makes allegations against dead people and BJP just wants to keep the pot boiling. Neither Deora saab is alive nor Ahmed Patel is alive to deny’ Mr. Singhvi said.
With inputs from agencies
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
