BJP guns for Virbhadra, accuses him of corruption, tax evasion

A day after targeting the Uttarakhand chief minister, the BJP on Thursday gunned for his Himachal counterpart Virbhadra Singh accusing him of corruption and tax evasion.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that Virbhadra Singh was involved in tax evasion and was helped by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agent Anand Chauhan.

“We demand the Congress’s answer on this. The BJP is asking a clear question: (Congress vice-president) Rahul Gandhi please explain why and how is it that your powerful CM (Virbhadra Singh) is giving an extension to a cancelled project of Venture Energy & Technology Private Limited? Isn’t that quid pro quo?” Prasad said. He was referring to a private company that allegedly transferred Rs 1.2 crore into Singh’s bank account in 2013 to approve an extension to its hydel project in Chamba district.

POLITICAL VENDETTA, SAYS VIRBHADRA

Reacting to Prasad’s allegations, the Himachal chief minister said from Shimla, “The BJP has been making these allegations against me for the past two years. These charges are being investigated by various courts, including the Himachal and Delhi high courts besides the income tax tribunal. I took a loan from a friend and paid it back. This is nothing but political vendetta because of the BJP’s own compulsions.”

Referring to the Vyapam scam and Lalitgate, he said: “Their (the BJP’s) chief ministers are facing scam charges so they are targeting Congress CMs. My party stands by me.”