New Delhi, Jan 11 (India Today) : While the BJP has often been targeting Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, it has been overlooking allegations against Puneet Gupta the son-in-law of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Gupta's name has surfaced in a recent tape where he allegedly pays off Congress leaders to win their support in a crucial bypoll in the state. The Congress has expelled lawmaker Amit Jogi over the incident and has now trained guns at Gupta. "We have expelled our leader. Will the BJP now act against its leaders, who are involved in corruption," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
"The incident is a proof that BJP leaders, including its CM, are dealing in black money. Why is the PM not taking any action now or the BJP promises are only jumlas?" said Congress state unit chief Bhupesh Bhagel, while demanding action against Gupta.
"The government should file an FIR against Gupta. The Congress is demanding an SIT probe into the issue," he added. Surjewala took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of not tolerating corruption and said why was no action taken against Raman Singh.
The leaked tape suggested that the money changed hands which facilitated the BJP candidate's victory in the 2015 Antagarh bypoll. The Congress has even approached the Election Commission to declare the said poll null and void.
Sources said the controversy has caused concern among the BJP bosses as it has come at a time when the Congress seems to be improving in the tribal state.
On the other hand, the BJP has been consistent in targeting Robert Vadra by raising the issue of his controversial land deals in Rajasthan and Haryana, both of which are ruled by the saffron party but have made little progress in probing the matter.
The BJP claims Gupta is a private citizen but so is Vadra. Moreover, Gupta is said to wield lot of influence in the Chhattisgarh government and has been accused of striking deals on behalf of the CM.
The Congress had earlier demanded sacking of Raman Singh in connection with a multi-crore PDS scam saying that the CM and his family members were direct beneficiaries. "Gupta has he been provided with four guards. He can freely walk inside the secretariat and can indulge in such dealings on BJP's behalf," said a state Congress leader.