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Ambani's KG basin scam BIGGER than Bofors: AAP

February 19, 2014 09:04 IST
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday attacked Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party for keeping "mum" on the Reliance gas issue in which Mukesh Ambani is among others named in a first information report filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government.

The AAP also said it was not averse to accepting donations towards party fund from the corporate behemoth if there was "no quid pro quo" involved.

"Ambani's KG basin scam is one of the biggest scams in the country's history and much bigger than the Bofors scam," AAP leader Yogendra Yadav alleged, adding, "It is surprising that Modi and the BJP have kept mum on the issue."

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'AAP's objective is to be an alternative to people of country'

February 19, 2014 09:04 IST
AAP leader Yogendra Yadav

Yadav was talking to media persons at the party office in suburban Chakala.

"Registering an FIR against Mukesh Ambani was the breaking point which made the Congress and the BJP to realise that we were firm on implementing our poll agenda," Yadav said.

The objective of the AAP is to be an alternative to people of country and not a substitute such as the Congress, the BJP or the Third Front which are part of the existing political system, he said.

Asked if the AAP will accept party funds from Ambani's company, Yadav said, "The political affairs committee of AAP decides on matters where the contribution is more than 10lakh. The main issue is there should be no quid pro involved, he said.

On Mukesh Ambani, Yadav said, "I know he is a recognised leader but about his being revered, I am hearing the expression for the first time. One will have to check what the industry feels on this attribute."

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'Of the 50 lakh promised, not a single house has been built in Guj'

February 19, 2014 09:04 IST
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi

To a query on the quantum of seats the AAP will contest in ensuing Lok Sabha polls, Yadav said, "We have never said we will contest a specific number of seats".

Asked if Arvind Kejriwal will contest Lok Sabha polls, Yadav said, "That will depend on many things such as the timing of assembly polls. However, I can say that we will fight LS polls under his leadership."

On the AAP government failing to implement its poll promises in Delhi, Yadav came out with a counter, claiming that Modi had promised to build 50 lakh houses in Gujarat but not a single house has been built.

He also criticised the blackout of TV proceedings in Lok Sabha on Telangana bill.

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'Some things are in the realm of speculation'

February 19, 2014 09:04 IST
AAP leader Shazia Ilmi

Saying that AAP doesn't share the same ideological or political space with Left, Yadav described the Third Front as "opportunists coming together".

Yadav accused Nitin Gadkari of being involved in corruption and said AAP had asked activist Anjali Damania to contest against the BJP leader. "It was not Damania who said she wants to contest from Nagpur, but we asked her to do so," he said.

On media reports about AAP leader Shazia Ilmi contesting against Sonia Gandhi, Yadav said, "As of now, the party has not taken any such decision...the names you mention aren't there. Some things are in the realm of speculation."

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February 19, 2014 09:04 IST

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