The BJP on Thursday alleged that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband, Robert Vadra, were linked to an attempt to take possession of a four-acre land parcel in Uttarakhand, claiming that a 90-year-old woman was being pressured to vacate the property.
There was no immediate response from the Congress, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra or Robert Vadra to the allegations.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that the Gandhi-Vadra family’s real business was not politics but “grabbing people’s land.”
Bhandari alleged that Robert Vadra’s sister, Saira Vadra, was attempting to acquire a four-acre plot in Kichha, located in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district. According to him, the original lease for the land was issued in the name of the late Kulsum Khan, while the property is currently occupied by her 90-year-old sister, Nasreen Khan.
He further alleged that Kichha Congress MLA Tilak Raj Behar arrived at the property late on Wednesday night with nearly 100 supporters and threatened Nasreen Khan with serious consequences if she refused to vacate the land.
Bhandari claimed that Congress leaders resort to intimidation when legal avenues fail.
“When they realise that Saira Vadra cannot obtain possession of the land through legal means, they begin intimidating the occupant. Saira Vadra is merely the face, while Priyanka Vadra and Robert Vadra are behind the entire exercise,” he alleged.
The BJP leader said his allegations were based on statements made by Nasreen Khan herself, who, according to him, accused Congress workers of attempting to hand over the property to the Vadra family.
“The responsibility does not end with the Congress MLA. It ultimately rests with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,” Bhandari alleged.
Questioning the Congress leader’s role in the matter, he asked, “Did Priyanka Gandhi Vadra instruct the Congress MLA to ensure that her sister-in-law takes possession of the land by intimidating a 90-year-old Muslim woman?”
Bhandari further alleged that the incident reflected what he described as the “Gandhi-Vadra model” of land acquisition, while referring to previous cases involving Robert Vadra to claim there was a recurring pattern in such transactions.
“Congress claims to stand with Muslims and the poor. Yet, according to the allegations before us, a 90-year-old Muslim woman is being threatened to vacate her land,” he said.
“The people of this country should understand that whenever the Gandhi-Vadra family sets its sights on a piece of land, people are allegedly sent repeatedly to intimidate the occupant until the property is vacated,” Bhandari claimed.
