The ruling BJP alleged on Wednesday that Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his sister and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, are involved in a corrupt land deal. Denying the charges quickly, the Congress said the BJP is resorting to manufacturing lies on a daily basis.

Senior BJP leader and Minister Smriti Irani told reporters at the BJP headquarters that the Congress is institutionalising corruption and making it a family affair.

‘Package of corruption’

“The country has come to know that the brother-in-law (Rahul Gandhi) is also involved with his ‘jija’ (Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra) in this family package of corruption,” Irani claimed.

Citing media reports, she said the Gandhi siblings purchased land in a deal involving one HL Pahwa, who was recently raided by the Enforcement Directorate, and assisted by one Mahesh Kumar Nagar. She alleged that CC Thampi, who is allegedly close to controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, aided the land deal for Pahwa. She added that the Congress opposed the Rafale deal for “financial and family” interests.

“The Congress President should answer about his relations with Pahwa in these land transactions,” Irani demanded.

‘Blinded by revenge’

The Congress said that the purchase of land was done by Rahul Gandhi out of his own funds, paid from his bank account. “At no point of time, this purchase of a small piece of land and consequent gift to a spiritual organisation has any connection with any individual, whatsoever,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

“Blinded by unprecedented revenge against Congress President and Congress leaders, they are resorting to manufacturing fake and fanciful lies on a daily basis, as was done by Irani. The entire set of allegations is the figment of Modiji’s imagination being hurled to divert people’s attention. They must know that the entire set of false mudslinging will expose them before the people of India,” he added.

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