BJP questions Robert Vadra’s declared net worth in Priyanka’s affidavit; ‘Have not done anything wrong,’ he hits back
The BJP also alleged that the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was made to stand outside while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra filed her nomination for the Wayanad bypolls.
A day after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra filed her nomination for the Lok Sabha by-election in Wayanad, Kerala, the BJP on Thursday criticized her, alleging discrepancies in the declared net worth of her husband, Robert Vadra, in her election affidavit. The BJP pointed out that Vadra’s declared assets were lower than the amounts demanded of him by the Income Tax Department. In response, Vadra dismissed the claims, accusing the BJP of diverting attention from the real issues and asserting that he had done nothing wrong.
The BJP also alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, a Dalit leader, was made to wait outside while Priyanka submitted her nomination, a claim that the Congress rejected as mere propaganda.
The BJP further noted, "Priyanka did not file the affidavit voluntarily to clear her name; it is a requirement mandated by the Supreme Court. Vadra’s declared net worth is less than the total demand by the Income Tax Department, which was Rs 7 crore in 2010-11, Rs 3 crore in 2011-12, Rs 11 crore in 2013-14, and Rs 10 crore in 2014-15, amounting to a total of Rs 75 crore."
"Look at the extent of the recovery they were making. The entire nation is asking Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka to provide an explanation for the apparent ill-gotten wealth. Please respond and let the country know the truth," Bhatia said.
"Look at the hypocrisy. We all know Rahul Gandhi falsely accuses the BJP and NDA of corruption. He frequently targets a specific company by name, yet his own brother-in-law invests in that same company. How can anyone trust him? It's the Prime Minister's 11th year in office, and he remains as pure as Gangajal, with no one able to point a finger at him," he added.
Calling the Gandhi family "people with SUVs and farmhouses," BJP spokesperson Bhatia alleged that Priyanka Gandhi's election affidavit undervalued a house in Shimla at just one-tenth of its market price.
Robert Vadra, in response, said, "People are aware of the truth. I have done nothing wrong and am ready to face any agency." Bhatia also shared photos purportedly showing Priyanka filing her affidavit, claiming that while the Gandhi family was inside, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was made to wait outside. He accused the Gandhis of exploiting Dalits and backward classes, stating, "They'll give a post to a backward person but control everything by remote." He also referenced how former Congress president Sitaram Kesri was "thrown out" of the party headquarters before completing his term.
Dismissing the BJP's allegations, Congress leader Pranav Jha said, "It’s unfortunate that even after 10 years in power, the government and its ministers resort to falsehoods and lies. In Wayanad, the district magistrate enforced a rule allowing only five people in the room at once. The video shows that people took turns, including Congress president Kharge, who waited patiently. Later, both Kharge and K C Venugopal were inside. The BJP's orchestrated attempts to defame and divert from the real issues are clear," Jha added.