Yes Bank Cirsis: Congress rubbishes BJP's claim that Rana Kapoor bought painting from Priyanka Gandhi for Rs 2 crore

A war of words erupted between the Congress and BJP on Sunday over the Yes Bank crisis with the ruling party looking to connect it with the Gandhis. While the opposition pondered whether or not Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were involved as the bank’s loan book became manifold.

Sharing a clip of a news channel report that Rana Kapoor, had bought a painting from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, BJP’s Amit Malviya alleged that every financial malfeasance in the country had ‘deep links’ with the Gandhis.

The Congress dubbed the accusation ‘fake’.

The report shared by the BJP said Priyanka Gandhi had sold an MF Husain painting of her father Rajiv Gandhi to Rana Kapoor for Rs 2 crore, and the whole amount was shown in her income tax return of 2010.

Amit Malviya tweeted, "Every financial crime in India has deep link with the Gandhis. Mallya used to send flight upgrade tickets to Sonia Gandhi. Had access to MMS (Manmohan Singh) and PC (P Chidambaram). Is absconding. Rahul inaugurated Nirav Modi's bridal jewellery collection, he defaulted. Rana bought Priyanka Vadra's paintings."

Rebutting the claim, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that it was a ‘diversionary’ strategy by the centre.

He mentioned that the bank’s loan book rose from Rs 55,633 crore in March 2014 the year Narendra Modi became prime minsiter to Rs 2,42,499 in March 2019.

"Why did the loan book rise by 100 per cent in two years after demonetisation i.e from Rs 98,210 cr in March 2016 to Rs 2,03,534 cr in March 2018? Were PM and FM sleeping, ignorant or complicit?" he asked.

The complete sum Priyanka Gandhi had accepted was in cheque and was fully disclosed in the income tax return, said Singhvi.

Rana Kapoor was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate in Mumbai after charges of alleged financial fraud in the bank’s operations cropped up and the RBI and the centre initiated measure to curb its affairs.

Also Read: Yes Bank Crisis: ED arrests founder Rana Kapoor for alleged fraud

Also Read: Yes Bank crisis: Nirmala Sitharaman assures account holders that their money is safe