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Cong plays Adani card to counter BJP on Vadra land deals

Abhishek Singhvi posed questions to the BJP's prime ministerial candidate accusing him of practising 'crony capitalism' and 'squandering of state largesse'

Robert Vadra

Press Trust of India New Delhi
Playing the Adani card, Congress today sought to put Narendra Modi in the dock for giving vast tracts of land to his "favourite capitalist friend" at throw away prices by treating the state as his "private feudal estate" days after BJP raked up Robert Vadra's land deals.

It also alleged a scam of Rs 23,000 crore in power purchase agreements in Gujarat. Besides, it claimed that BJP's poll expenditure is double at Rs 10,000 crore than that of US President Barack Obama.

Seeking to puncture the "good governance balloon" of Gujarat, AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi posed questions to the BJP's prime ministerial candidate accusing him of practising "crony capitalism" and "squandering of state largesse".
 
He also faulted the state-owned Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam of entering into power purchase agreements at different rates with three companies.

He said while Gujarat government would be purchasing power from two Adani plants at Rs 2.89 and Rs 2.35 per unit, it is being bought at Rs 2.26 from a third thermal unit.

This constituted a massive fraud as per unit 63 paise are being given more, which will lead to the thermal power producer gaining Rs 23,625 crore more over a 25 year period.

Singhvi sought to know from the Gujarat Chief Minister whether he has taken action against his cabinet colleague Anandi Ben Patel who has been pulled up by the Supreme Court for giving 36 acre land to a company.

"The questions I have asked why after Supreme Court strictures, are you continuing with her and indeed have promoted her to a de-facto Chief Minister when you are giving lecturers that you will take action against everybody. Please look into your backyard first," he said.

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First Published: Apr 23 2014 | 8:41 PM IST

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