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After Vadra video, Cong shoots CD at BJP linking Modi to hawala accused
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 28
Hours after the BJP questioned the business model of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, the Congress launched a counter-attack on the Opposition party linking its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to a hawala racketeer in Gujarat.

The Congress’ charge -- Modi prima facie has links with Afroz Fatta, a Surat-based BJP supporter currently accused in a Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 crore hawala racket wherein fake bills were raised for import and export of diamond consignments from Surat. The transactions were made through private banks and money was transmitted to Hong Kong and Dubai. Finally, it was brought back to India through the smuggling of gold. The racket was unearthed by the Enforcement Directorate following raids on Fatta’s residence on March 22. The accused was arrested and later released on bail.

Releasing photographs taken during social and business meetings where Modi is seen standing or sitting in close proximity to Fatta, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked the BJP to explain the nature of relationship that Modi and the hawala kingpin shared.

Accusing Modi of protecting Fatta, the Congress asked the Gujarat CM whether his lack of action in preventing a flourishing hawala racket in Surat be construed as his complicity in the crime or patronage to Fatta.

The Congress went on to question Modi for his “prima facie” links to the underworld as shooters of underworld don Bablu Srivastav had later sought to attack Fatta. “Do Narendra Modi and his ministers have links with the underworld? Do the pictures showing Modi with Fatta tell their own story? Why did Modi allow anti-national forces to operate from Surat until the ED nabbed the criminals?

“All these are serious questions that must be answered by someone claiming to have the ability to lead the country,” Surjewala said, rejecting suggestions that the accusation is Congress’ retort to BJP’s anti-Vadra video which attracted sharp criticism from his wife Priyanka Gandhi and also the Congress leaders.

BJP hits back

Hours after Congress released a CD showing Modi’s picture with hawala accused Afroz Fatta, the BJP hit back by coming out with pictures showing the same man with Congress MP Md Azharuddin
BJP legislator Harsh R Sanghavi brought out a picture showing Fatta with cricketer-turned-politician Azharuddin
“Afroz Phatta with Congressi leader @azharuddin will Congress answer what's his connection with him?," Sanghavi tweeted