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Nitin Gadkari's business grew at cost of farmers: Arvind Kejriwal

Express news service

Posted: Oct 17, 2012 at 1734 hrs IST
Members of India Against Corruption Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan showing documents during a press conference in New Delhi. (PTI)

Arvind Kejriwal today targeted BJP President Nitin Gadkari, accusing him of receiving personal favours by getting around 100 acres of agriculture land in Maharashtra after the Congress-NCP government there bent rules.

Utilising a much-hyped press conference here to "expose" Gadkari, the activist-turned-politician alleged that all parties were involved in a cosy relationship of "looting" the country even though they raise issues against each other just for the sake of it.

Specifically, Kejriwal alleged a quid pro quo between BJP and Congress-NCP government of Maharashtra, saying Gadkari and his party maintained "silence" over various issues of corruption like the irrigation scam surrounding the Maharashtra government.

Aided by lawyer Prashant Bhushan and another IAC activist from Maharashtra Anjali Damania, Kejriwal alleged that rules were bent by the Maharashtra government, particularly scam-tainted former Irrigation Minister Ajit Pawar to benefit Gadkari.

He claimed that vast tracts of land were acquired from farmers for building a dam in Umred taluka in Nagpur district and excess land that should have been returned to the farmers was given to Gadkari and his company following Ajit Pawar's intervention.

The state government, which had rejected in 2002 the farmers' demand for return of the excess land, took the decision to give it to Gadkari within days of his request in June 2005, Kejriwal alleged.

Claiming to have letters signed by Ajit Pawar, he said that the then Irrigation Minister influenced the Vidharbha Industrial Development Corporation even though its secretary objected, saying it could not be done "legally".

"There has been a conspiracy. BJP has betrayed the country. People had hoped that BJP will point fingers at the ruling party when it falters. But to increase his business empire, Gadkari has done setting with ruling parties.

"...Gadkari is not a politician. He is not in politics. He is using BJP to increase his business interests. Now the party has also amended its Constitution to give him a second term as president," Kejriwal claimed.

He said Gadkari's business links were harming the interests of farmers.

Kejriwal alleged that the state government acquired excess land and did not give it back to farmers as per law.

Giving an example, he said one Gajanan Ghagde had approached the government seeking return of his land.

But the government sat on it for almost two years but when Gadkari wrote a letter seeking transfer of the same land to him, Pawar wrote a letter recommending it in four days, he alleged.

"There was action on Gadkari's letter very fast but a representation by the farmer did not get any response for two years. And when it came, they were not given vback," Kejriwal said.

He said Gadkari has a big business empire and his interests range from power to sugar to ethanol.

When asked about allegations that she raised the irrigation scam because her land was being acquired, Damania rejected the allegations and said government letter has made it clear that whose land were acquired would get money or land in return.

She alleged that dams were being built in the name of farmers were actually used to supply water to power plants set up by politicians of all hues.

Kejriwal alleged Robert Vadra was looting farmers' land in Haryana while Gadkari was doing the same in Maharashtra.

"We thought Vadra was the son-in-law of the Gandhis. But Sharad Yadav has come to his rescue, Sharad Pawar and Akhilesh Yadav have supported him. We did not know that he is the son-in-law of all of them," he said.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan alleged, "A corrupt mafia is taking over parties. Parliament has now become a club of corrupt. Good people has no entry there and they had challenged us to enter politics and we have accepted it."

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Kejriwal by R. Pandya on 18 Oct 2012

sir, It is very strange that Indian Express website is displaying Kejriwal's allegations against bjp president nitin gadkari prominently even after they have been denied 24 hours ago by gadkari himself with facts and figures. even the farmer mentioned in the kejriwal's allegations has denied that his land has been given to gadkari. he has also said that he is still farming the land. at least the express could have given gadkari's version with allegations. what type of journalism is this.

political businessman by ajith krishnan on 18 Oct 2012

Gadkari rise from a small time shop owner to a bigtime business man with 5 power plants and sugar factories and other innumerable businesses is a result of the proximity to power equations across friends and political foes in the state and country,if we put his growth on a chart we will find that there is rewards from favours doled out earlier ,the money for his projects and business may have come from the irrigation scam money also indirectly ,it is advisable to inquire all the above!

re:@Corruption by rama anne on 18 Oct 2012

Robert Vadras case POWER use at the TOP of the ladder with utter disregard for the Rules of the LAND maharastras Sri Nitin Gadkaris Business proves that NCP-BJP-CONGRESS-SENA cartels are doing CORRUPTION at the CARTELS level let us keep sri Kejrewals political ambitions aside . Let us investigate the MAHRASTRA IRRIGATION scams and find out the TRUTH

Fools Paradise - India -Hindustan by Praveen.k.a. on 17 Oct 2012

Power currupts and the same will happen if Kajrewal becomes a politician or minister.IT's we the public donkeys......

Mr Kejriwal - a phenomenon of Indian Politics by Anoop on 17 Oct 2012

Arvind Kejriwal is just a phenomenan and trying to get political millege, Nothing going to happend either to UPA or to BJP At last he is going o withdraw all these allegation and in future you can see his political wing cooperating with any of these front

WATER SCAM by T,S,JAYARAMAN on 17 Oct 2012

Gadkariji should come out clean on the allegation of IAC Keijirewalji. Every body wants a change of government in Center due to major scams.No protection to any body.Reply fast and now.

IAC has lost the purpose by Sanjay gairola on 17 Oct 2012

The corruption charges levelled by this gentle man must be investigated but if found wrong, he should punished as well. It seems Mr. Kejriwal wants to be famous or get publicity by accusing everybody who comes in his way. He has lost the way and only making allegations in press conferences. I think he plans to clean this system by getting absolute power based on his clandestine designs to dislodge the political system of India. Anyway, the person who has cheated his mentor for political gains can be trusted. IAC has lost very purpose of its existence.

No Substance by Mandar on 17 Oct 2012

There is no substance, no proof, I dare say no crime ! All there is, is baseless allegations. Gadkari has created jobs in the region.

AK missed the target ??? by R Ramanujam on 17 Oct 2012

Guess Mr Arvind missed the target this time. In the case of Mr Vadra, it was very clear that the flats were under-priced, interest free loans etc, but some how this case does not seem to be convincing...Anyways, pl continue your work Mr Arvind, but dont lose your credibility...

Shame by NT on 17 Oct 2012

I am scare to vote congress or BJP in next election. Little confused shall I go for voting or better sit at home. Also not dare to vote any regional party, as all we have worst experience of SP & BSP(supporting to corrupt govt.

Gadkari by satish KR on 17 Oct 2012

NT,We have choose between the devil and the deep sea,maybe communists are shade better when it comes to issue of corruption.

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