Congress on Tuesday rejected BJP’s demand to discuss in Parliament alleged anomalies in land deal by Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra in Haryana and Rajasthan saying he is not a politician and hence the issue concerning him does not qualify for a debate in the House.
“State government and law enforcement agencies concerned will look into it. He (Vadra) is not a politician... He is an individual. Why will the Parliament debate this? How does it qualify to come in Parliament?
“We do not want to set precedence, where we were to discuss in Parliament the issues concerning individuals across the country,” party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary told reporters.
Parliament failed to transact any business on Tuesday as the issue of land deals allegedly involving Mr. Vadra and the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils eclipsed the proceedings in both Houses.
Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha witnessed repeated adjournments over the issue as as BJP members stormed the Well seeking a probe into the land deal issue.
Ms. Gandhi was present in the Lok Sabha when the BJP members trooped into the Well carrying a placard which said ‘Finance Minister, adopt the formula of son-in-law; earn sitting at home and reduce losses’
The BJP had earlier given notices in both Houses for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the alleged anomalies in land deal by Mr. Vadra in Rajasthan.
The notices came in the backdrop of reports alleging that Mr. Vadra had broken the law in buying land in Rajasthan, much above the prescribed ceiling, and that he was set to reap a windfall from the land in arid Bikaner area.
Replying to a question that Mr. Vadra is simply not an individual but also the son-in-law of the president of the country’s ruling party, Ms. Chowdhary said, “That does not mean it qualifies or disqualifies him” from being an individual.
Published - March 12, 2013 06:47 pm IST
