Amar Singh ‘not desperate to enter active politics, but will not shy away’

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New Delhi, Oct 6: Rajya Sabha MP and former Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh on Saturday made it absolutely clear that he would not shy away from active politics if given an opportunity, but added that he was not desperate for it.

“I am not awaiting anybody’s invitation. I am not chasing any dream. I am not desperate, but if given opportunity I am not going to shy away from that,” he said.

The former Samajwadi Party General Secretary, who came out in full defence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra in wake of Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations that he was hugely favoured by realty major DLF, also refused to comment on whether he would be joining the Congress Party.

Amar Singh said that he has so far always defended every non-political entrepreneur of a politician.

Commenting on the controversy concerning Robert Vadra, Amar Singh said: “His only mistake seems to be that he happens to be husband of Priyanka Gandhi and son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi.”

“Robert Vadra is not a politician, he is a businessman. And DLF is not a fly by night operator. They are in the field of real estate right from the beginning. This is a big group… DLF is a very old established real estate company and it’s a private company,” he added.

Amar Singh further pointed out that one should not raise objection to the dealings between two private entrepreneurs

“Robert Vadra is a private entrepreneur… Private entrepreneur with another private entrepreneur. What only is he doing, he is giving unsecured loan out of like or dislike is nobody’s business. The only person who can object to is the Board of DLF. If DLF is not opposing or the shareholders of DLF are not opposing, then what moral right Prashant Bhushan, Shanti Bhushan and Kejriwal have got,” he added.

India Against Corruption (IAC) activist Arvind Kejriwal had earlier on Friday levelled serious allegations against Robert Vadra, and said his wealth increased from Rs 50 lakh to over Rs 300 crore within three years.

Addressing a press conference along with former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan and Supreme Court lawyer and IAC activist Prashant Bhushan, Kejriwal said Vadra received kickbacks from DLF.

Kejriwal claimed that they have evidence to show that Vadra received kickbacks from DLF.

“Robert Vadra’s income grew from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 300 crore in three years, how did this happen? DLF gave Vadra Rs. 65 crore unsecured loan. DLF gave Robert Vadra unsecured loans, what benefit did Vadra give to DLF to secure these loans,” he said.

Asserting that Sonia Gandhi’s son in-law is involved in a property scam, Kejriwal demanded an answer from the UPA Government at the Centre on this issue.

“All the details are with the government, yet no action has been taken. The Congress must answer. Multiple properties owned in Haryana, Rajasthan and Dehradun. The government must explain why this information was not acted upon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prashant Bhushan also echoed similar sentiments on the issue, and demanded that the links between Vadra and DLF should be probed.

“Robert Vadra got 10,000 sq foot penthouse in DLF Aralia for Rs. 85 lakhs whose market value when sold was 25 crores, and today, it’s value is 40 crores,” said Bhushan.

“Why did the DLF give so much money to Vadra without any obvious benefit?” he asked.

The eminent lawyer further claimed that Vadra was getting benefits for DLF through the Delhi and Haryana Governments, and added that it should be probed by investigating agencies.

“There are many other properties to be inquired into,” said Bhushan.

“Hum iss desh ke damaad hain, isi liye kuch bhi kar sakte hain? (I am the son-in-law of the country so I can get away with anything),” Bhushan added mockingly, while seeking an answer from the ruling Congress Party.

Kejriwal’s charge left the ruling UPA Government furious, as AICC spokespersons and several Union Ministers went ballistic against the civil society activists dubbing the charges as ‘baseless and utterly irresponsible’.

The BJP and the Left Parties have demanded an inquiry into the increase in the wealth of Robert Vadra.

The DLF has clarified that the business dealings with Robert Vadra were completely transparent. (ANI)