BJP slams Rahul on Syria comparison of India in terms of women safety

New Delhi: Stating that fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya and Congress President's brother in law Robert Vadra have flourished during the Congress-led UPA government and also violated laws, the BJP on Wednesday questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence on the same.

BJP spokesman Sambit Patra sought an answer on matters related to these high profile cases from Congress president Rahul Gandhi and also asked him to clarify why he chose to compare the conditions of women in India with that in Syria.

Mr Patra referred to Mallya's 'offer' of coming out and selling his properties to settle loan disputes and said the owner of Kingfisher Airlines has come a "long way -- as from being the King of Good Times under the UPA and now he has turned into a poster boy of corruption".

"Vijay Mallya and Robert Vadra, the epitome of corruption during the Congress-led UPA government, are now feeling the heat of law.

They are feeling insecure," Mr Patra said.The observations against Mr Vadra come after reports surfaced that Income Tax department had issued a notice to him and his company Skylight Hospitality to pay arrears worth Rs 25 crore for the year 2010-11. 

With regard Mr Mallya, the BJP spokesman claimed that the fugitive businessman had written to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 and could ensure that the 'NOC' issue was resolved and Mr Mallya's company was given the loans of Rs 550 crore. In fact, in the letter Mr Mallya thanks former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his help and intervention.

In another letter in 2013, Mr Mallya reportedly says there was "positive development after his meeting with the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram", Mr Patra said."There is a difference between Mallya's letters to two Prime Ministers.

This shows how the poster boy of corruption was being treated by the Congress and how this government of Narendra Modi is treating," Mr Patra said adding the fugitive business tycoon seemed to say that he is a sad man today as all his properties have been seized and several government agencies are catching up with him.

In this context, he said harsh measures taken by the Modi government is showing good results as the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill and The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code have made things difficult for economic offenders.

"With these laws, the economic offenders are feeling the heat of law....There is no change in heart of such people," he said in reference to Mr Mallya's offers to settle bank dues by selling his properties.

"In fact, the truth of the matter is the law is catching up with those who felt they were entitled to play with the law," Mr Patra said.He further said: "Income Tax department has directed Robert Vadra to pay arrears for the year 2010-11. We want to ask Rahul Gandhi what does he have to say on the Income Tax evasions by Mr Vadra?"

Directing his tirade against the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the BJP spokesman alleged that the Trinamool regime in the state is running an authoritarian rule in the state. "Mamata Banerjee is also nervous about certain uncertain things. Once she alleged army is trying to take over the state of affairs there."

"Mamata Banerjee also runs a government that prohibits Durga idol immersion," he alleged.

BJP chief Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to the state -- where the saffron party is in mega expansion drive and has set a target of 26 seats for Lok Sabha polls.

To a question on AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, the BJP spokesman said the Hyderabad MP is virtually working like 'neo-Jinnah' and it is high time he realises that such politics should not be pursued.

He was critical of the manner Mr Gandhi made no delay in endorsing a claim that conditions of women in India are in worse conditions than in Syria. "This report was prepared simply on the basis of perception and no data format was followed," he said adding Rahul Gandhi should do some homework on Syria and the conditions of women there.

"Such comparison is objectionable.....and false propaganda against the country should not be entertained," the BJP spokesman said.(UNI)