Cong refutes Ahmed Patel-Teesta charges: 'Vilifying deceased obviously as…' | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Congress refutes Ahmed Patel-Teesta Setalvad charges: 'PM's political vendetta machine'

By | Written by Poulomi Ghosh
Jul 16, 2022 11:08 AM IST

The Congress said the allegation that Teesta Setalvad received ₹30 lakh from Ahmed Patel to destabilise the then Gujarat government is part of the prime minister's strategy to 'absolve himself of any responsibility for the communal carnage' of 2002.

The Congress on Saturday refuted the "mischievous charges" against late Ahmed Patel and said the prime minister's political vendetta does not even spare the departed who were his political adversaries. The SIT which is probing Teesta Setalvad's role among others in the case of criminal conspiracy and forgery said Teesta Setalvad had received money from Ahmad Patel and was enacting a larger conspiracy to destabilise the Gujarat government soon after the 2002 Gujarat riot.

The Congress on Saturday refuted the "mischievous charges" against late Ahmed Patel and said the prime minister's political vendetta does not even spare the departed who were his political adversaries.(PTI)
The Congress on Saturday refuted the "mischievous charges" against late Ahmed Patel and said the prime minister's political vendetta does not even spare the departed who were his political adversaries.(PTI)

The SIT in its affidavit said Setalvad held meetings with Ahmed Patel and received 5 lakh at the first instance from a witness on the instructions of the Congress leader. She received 25 lakh more two days later, again at the behest of Patel, the SIT said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Strongly refuting the charges, the Congress issued a statement and said, "This is part of Prime Minister's systematic strategy to absolve himself of any responsibility for the communal carnage unleashed when he was chief minister in Gujarat in 2002. It was his unwillingness and incapacity to control this carnage that had led the-then Prime minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee to remind the chief minister of his rajdharma."

"This SIT is dancing to the tune of its political master and will sit whatever it is told to. We know how an earlier SIT chief was rewarded with a diplomatic assignment afyter he had given a clean chit to the chief minister," the Congress statement said.

"Giving judgment through press, in an ongoing judicial process, through puppet investigative agencies who trumped wild allegations as supposed findings, has been the hallmark of the Modi-Shah duo's tactics for years. This is nothing but another example of the same, with the added object of vilifying a deceased person since he is obviously unable and unavailable to refute such brazen lies," the statement said.

The BJP on Saturday stepped up the attack on Congress over the issue. Addressing a press conference, Sambit patra said Sonia Gandhi must provide answers. "Ahmed Patel is just a name,driving force was his boss Sonia Gandhi. Through her Chief Political Advisor Ahmed Patel, Sonia Gandhi attempted to malign Gujarat's image. Through him,she attempted to insult Narendra Modi &she was architect of this entire conspiracy," Sambit Patra said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On