Priyanka understated worth of Shimla house in poll affidavit, alleges BJP; Vadra replies

The BJP on Thursday alleged that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had understated the value of her assets, including her Shimla house, in the affidavit filed as part of the Lok Sabha byelection nomination process in Wayanad yesterday.

Bhatia said the assets declared by Priyanka were “way below the assets she and her husband Robert Vadra possess and also lower than the Income Tax Department’s demand,” BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said.

He said the total demand raised by the IT Department was Rs 75 crore and the assets shown much lower.

“Priyanka Gandhi’s poll affidavit is a confession of corruption committed by the Gandhi family and Robert Vadra,” he alleged.

Bhatia said Priyanka had disclosed a lower value for her Shimla house than its market worth.

“Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s nomination for the Wayanad bypoll is a victory of dynastic politics and defeat of merit,” the BJP leader added further accusing the Congress of “insulting” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, a Dalit, by not allowing him to accompany Priyanka Gandhi to the returning officer’s office for filing of her nomination yesterday.

The BJP’s allegation centred on Rs 37.9 cr movable and Rs 27.64 cr immovable assets of Vadra as declared by Priyanka. Bhatia said tax demand against Vadra was Rs 75 cr.

Vadra in response said: “Whenever they (BJP) want to divert attention from real issues, my name crops up and they start talking about me. People know the truth. I have not done anything wrong and I am ready to face any agency.”