Rahul: Jaitley met Mallya for 15 mins in Parliament; Modi should explain why

Launching a blistering attck on PM Modi and FM Arun Jaitley on the escape of economic offender Vijay Mallya to UK, Congress president Rahul Gandhi stated that Jaitley met Malya for 15 minutes in the Parliament but “Jaitley who writes long blogs did not utter a single word about it.”

“He (Jaitley) had not informed ED, CBI. What does it mean? He has to explain why when a criminal has told him he is running away to London, he has done nothing,” said aggressive Gandhi at a press conference in Delhi.

Demanding Jaitley’s resignation on second consecutive day, he further stated, “Finance Minister is responsible to take action against economic offenders. Finance minister himself is meeting them. Finance minister has admitted that Mallya told him he is going to London. Yet the Finance Minister took no action. Did not inform CBI, ED or other arms of the govt. Why? What was the deal? There is a notice to restrain Mr Mallya. That notice is changed from a restrain notice to an inform notice. Who did it? There are only two people – Prime Minister and Finance Minister.”

Earlier on Wednesday Rahul Gandhi had demanded Jaitley’s resignation on Twitter.

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP PL Punia also addressed the Conference and alleged that he saw liquor baron Vijay Mallya meeting with Jaitley in Parliament on March 1, adding that the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes first at a corridor and then at Central Hall.

Punia’s charge contradicts that of Jaitley, who had on Wednesday, claimed that he did not engage in a conversation with Mallya.

Rahul Gandhi says, “It is an open and shut case. An economic offender tells finance minister that he is leaving for London. Why did he not inform the officials? He should step down.”

Rahul Gandhi’s press conference can be watched here -

“This is clearly a collusion, there is definitely a deal. Finance Minister should clearly say what transpired and he should resign,” emphasised Gandhi.

Punia said that he had informed the media of Jaitley-Mallya meeting. "They have been quiet for one and a half year. Jaitley has addressed the Parliament ever since but he never mentioned the meeting (however small). This is breach of trust. There is CCTV footage of the two meeting. If proven wrong I will quit politics, or Jaitley ji should quit," said Punia.