New Delhi/Rae Bareli, April 27 (IANS) The verbal spat between the Congress and the BJP grew more strident Sunday with the BJP's allegations of "corruption under patronage" in land deals of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra evoked a spirited response from his wife Priyanka Gandhi, who accused the party of "running like bewildered rats".
Priyanka Gandhi's forceful counter-offensive in which she also spoke about not being intimidated by BJP's attacks and "lies" and her determination to continue speaking against its "destructive" politics spurred similar reactions from Congress spokespersons who dismissed allegations against Vadra.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad launched one of his party's fiercest attacks on the Gandhi family, accusing Vadra of making "unscrupulous" land deals and seeking answers from Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi on the issue.
Prasad told a press conference in New Delhi that the Gandhis should explain the "Robert Vadra model of development" when "there is so much unemployment and economy was down".
"It is a text book case of corruption, crony capitalism under patronage," he said.
Terming Vadra as "damad shri (honoured son-in-law)", Prasad claimed land acquisitions by Vadra's firms had flouted several laws, including the Land Acquisition Act in Congress-ruled Haryana and in Rajasthan where the party was earlier in power.
The BJP released a video and a six-page booklet - "Damad shree the Vadra 'get-rich-quick' model" - on Vadra's land deals.
The video made repeated attacks at Vadra and said the people will not forgive the Congress in the Lok Sabha election. The booklet posed several queries to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Vadra's land deals and asked them to come clean.
The video said while there were cases of "bhai bhatijavad (nepotism)", Vadra had added a new tradition of "damadvad (son-in-law favouritism)".
The BJP said the booklet will be distributed in different parts of the country.
Prasad said if an investigation is carried out, there will be criminal cases against Vadra.
"He (Vadra) made huge profit of Rs.300 crore in a few years from an intitial investment of Rs.1 lakh," he alleged.
Congress spokespersons Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Randeep Surjewala and general secretary Ajay Maken refuted the BJP's allegations, but it was Priyanka Gandhi, who in Rae Bareli came out all guns blazing against the BJP and said she will not stay quiet.
She accused the BJP of unecessarily defaming her husband and said the opposition represented "destructive, negative" politics.
"They are behaving like bewildered rats. I knew they would resort to spreading lies a few days before polls," she told media persons in the constituency where her mother Sonia Gandhi is contesting.
"Let them do more such smear campaigns. I will not keep quiet. I will keep raising my voice against their negative, destructive and shameful politics," she said after an election rally.
"Let them attack more. I will not remain quiet," she said.
In her addresses, she targeted BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying his party represented a kind of politics which aimed at concentrating power in one person, while in an indirect jibe at Modi, quipped India does not need a "56-inch chest" for good governance.
Maken said the allegations levelled by the BJP were "old and baseless" and had been regurgitated during election time "as a cheap political stunt."
The BJP's attack Sunday came amid concerted Congress criticism of Modi over his Gujarat model of development, and two days ahead of the April 30 polling for 89 Lok Sabha seats, including all 26 seats in Gujarat.
Sikkim Avalanche: Severe avalanche in Sikkim, seven tourists killed; 13 injured, PM Modi expressed grief
Seven tourists were killed and 13 injured when a massive avalanche hit the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (JNM) on National Highway 310 from Sikkim's capital Gangtok to Nathula at 11 am on Tuesday. The injured
Land bill likely in Rajya Sabha post break
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The contentious land acquisition bill is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha in the second half of the ongoing parliament session, government sources said on
Start Business in US within an Hour: US Industry Expert
Kolkata, Jan 13 (IANS) The US is "open to business" and Indians can start a business in the country within an hour, a US-based industry expert said here."It is easy to start a business here (US)
Retail Inflation Data: There is no relief from inflation, retail inflation increased to 7.41 percent in September
Retail Inflation Data: There has been a jump in retail inflation for the second consecutive month. In September, the retail inflation rate increased to 7.41 percent. Retail inflation stood at 7
Falwala's son became an IPL star: Umran threw 4 balls at the net, then the batsmen ran away, SRH was included in the team after watching the video of the bowling
In the 15th season of IPL, Sun Risers Hyderabad fast bowler Umran Malik has created fear among the batsmen by throwing the ball at a speed of 153 kmph. Of course, Umran has not got many wickets, but
27 die as coaches of Varanasi-bound train derail
Lucknow, March 20 (IANS) At least 27 people were killed when the engine and two crowded coaches of a passenger train derailed in Uttar Pradesh on Friday after the driver overshot a signal,
Controversy over mayor, deputy mayor escalates in Delhi: Hundreds of AAP workers gherao the LG office; BJP's picketing begins at Rajghat
The election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor of MCD in Delhi could not be held on Friday. The House was adjourned after the heavy uproar. Now Aam Aadmi Party and BJP have come to the streets and are
What is the future of cryptocurrency in India? Know from Nirmala Sitharaman
What is the future of cryptocurrencies in India is being discussed? Central Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das has once again warned investors about crypto. At the same time, Finance Minister
What is the mood of Bihar just before the election? In the survey of TV channels, whose government-whose defeat, what are the 3 opinion poll signals
The Bihar assembly election has become a conduit and before the first phase of voting (October 28), all political parties are busy trying. To get a sense of the mood of the people of Bihar in this
Piyush Goyal said, India is a reliable partner of the world; One of the most attractive investment destinations in the world
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal are on a six-day visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Monday. During his visit to the US, Goyal laid great emphasis on India\'s stable economic