A video of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s presence in London led to a sharp exchange of words between the Opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday in an indication that it may emerge as an issue in the campaign for the upcoming general election.
The Daily Telegraph of London posted the video in which a reporter for the newspaper is seen walking alongside Modi and asking him questions, to all of which he is seen replying with a “no comment.” Details emerged of the lavish lifestyle he is leading there.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi retweeted the video and took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice,” the Congress president wrote on Twitter
The BJP hit back at Gandhi in less than two hours.
“Profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surname. BTW, is it not true that in Sept 2013, you visited Nirav Modi’s bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from bank’s director? No comments?” the BJP’s official handle tweeted. An external affairs ministry spokesman said the Indian government had been aware of the presence in London of NIrav Modi, who is the prime suspect in a ₹13,500 crore rupee fraud at Punjab National Bank, and had initiated the process of having him extradited to India.
{{/usCountry}}“Profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surname. BTW, is it not true that in Sept 2013, you visited Nirav Modi’s bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from bank’s director? No comments?” the BJP’s official handle tweeted. An external affairs ministry spokesman said the Indian government had been aware of the presence in London of NIrav Modi, who is the prime suspect in a ₹13,500 crore rupee fraud at Punjab National Bank, and had initiated the process of having him extradited to India.
{{/usCountry}}The ruling party also said the bank fraud carried out by Nirav Modi dated back to 2011, when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power.
“It was detected and exposed during the Modi govt.”
Communist Party of India (Marxist) chief Sitaram Yechury also attacked Prime Minister Modi. “It is no surprise considering that the so-called ‘Chowkidar’ exists only to help his cronies loot and scoot,” said Yechury.
Political parties are engaged in a heated campaign for the upcoming general election, in which the Opposition has highlighted the controversial Rafale jet fighter deal, farm distress and rising unemployment. The emergence of the Nirav Modi video could add more ammunition to opposition parties.