Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 2: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday alleged that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra were linked to an attempt to take possession of a four-acre land parcel in Uttarakhand, where a 90-year-old woman was allegedly being threatened to vacate the property.
There was no immediate response from the Congress, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra or Robert Vadra to the allegations.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that Robert Vadra's sister, Saira Vadra, was attempting to take possession of the land at Kichha in Udham Singh Nagar district.
According to Bhandari, the original lease of the land is in the name of late Kulsum Khan, while the property is currently occupied by her 90-year-old sister, Nasreen Khan.
The BJP leader alleged that Congress MLA Tilak Raj Behar visited the property late on Wednesday night along with around 100 supporters and threatened Nasreen Khan with serious consequences if she did not vacate the land.
He further alleged that when legal efforts failed, Congress leaders resorted to intimidation.
"When they realise that Saira Vadra cannot get possession of the land through the legal route, they intimidate the occupant. She becomes the front, while Priyanka Vadra and Robert Vadra are behind her," Bhandari alleged.
Claiming that his remarks were based on Nasreen Khan's statement, Bhandari said the elderly woman had accused Congress workers of trying to hand over the property to the Vadra family.
"The buck does not stop with the Congress MLA. The buck stops with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra," he alleged.
Bhandari also questioned whether Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had instructed the Congress MLA to help her sister-in-law obtain possession of the land by intimidating the elderly occupant.
Referring to previous allegations involving Robert Vadra, Bhandari claimed the latest episode reflected what he described as a "Gandhi-Vadra model" of land grabbing.
He further alleged that despite the Congress claiming to support minorities and the poor, a 90-year-old Muslim woman was allegedly being threatened to vacate her property.