The Congress has demanded the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Ben Patel and explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over an alleged allotment of 250 acres of government land to the kin of the Chief Minister. The party demanded a Special Investigation Team probe into the matter, monitored by the Supreme Court.

Deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma told reporters here on Friday that the revelations on the land deal make it “abundantly clear” that the Prime Minister, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, “allowed nepotism, conflict of interest and brazen plundering of public land to promote commercial and business interests of entities closely connected to the kin of the then Revenue Minister and present Chief Minister.”

Sharma said the issue would be taken up during the Budget session as political issues should be raised at the forum of Parliament. “Allotment of 250 acres of government land next to the Gir Lion Sanctuary without any valuation or price determination for a pittance was in gross violation of all known procedures and regulations governing allocation of public land in eco sensitive zones, allowing purchase of agricultural land by non-agriculturists as also 'change of land use' of agricultural land for profiteering and commercial exploitation,” he said.

He asked whether proper valuation and price determination of the land was done by the State government. “What were the criteria followed for the allotment to a company which had no knowledge and experience of setting up of resorts? Was the Prime Minister aware of the extent of loss to the State exchequer? Was Narendra Modi aware of clear conflict of interest of the then Revenue Minister while allocating the said land. Was this allocation based on a Cabinet decision and endorsed by the then Chief Minister and whether conflict of interest was disclosed?” he asked.

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