The Adarsh Housing Society on Wednesday threatened to slap a Rs. 100-crore defamation suit on the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, if he failed to provide evidence of the slanderous remarks he had allegedly made against it at election rallies. He should also tender an unconditional apology if he failed to produce evidence, in three days, in support of his allegations, the society said.
The 2010 Adarsh scam involved many high-profile politicians, bureaucrats and defence personnel in Maharashtra. It cost Ashok Chavan his Chief Minister post.
The notice issued by society secretary to Mr. Modi said: “Your attempt to tarnish us with false and fabricated allegations, like the society has grabbed defence land and that the same was meant for Kargil heroes and war widows, has caused irreparable loss to the society and its members. It has disturbed the social life of all 103 families.”
The notice claimed that Mr. Modi’s allegation that the society had usurped land meant for Kargil war heroes and their widows was nothing but a figment of imagination. In fact, the society had sought his help in January this year to fight the “baseless allegations” made by some Congress leaders. “We had sought your help in the capacity of prime ministerial candidate and in the capacity of Chief Minister of Gujarat to protect and help us from fabricated and false attacks on society by A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, and the society is already pursuing these issues legally as we have enough material on record to take action. But instead of helping us, you have also defamed us.”
The society claimed that his allegations were contrary to the findings of a two-member judicial commission appointed by the Maharashtra government.
It demanded evidence from Mr. Modi of the allegation that the land in question was reserved for Kargil war heroes and their families.
