Gandhinagar

After 8-10 hours long search operation at his residence in Gandhinagar, Shankersinh Vaghela signed a document at around 5.00 pm and later met the media to share the details of CBI raid. Here is what Shankersinh told media persons:

– NTC land deal scam was flashed from Delhi deliberately. This is vindictiveness. It’s a 7 year old matter pertaining to UPA government. Where were they till now.

– People were taking way even bricks of compound walls of NTC mills. We were paying security charges to protect our lands. I became minister and took decision to remove this pressure and burden and sell the land as we had to pay even for security. NDA government was to sell all NTC lands across Mumbai for Rs 200 crore as per my information. When I became Minister I completed all formalities with full transparency. I told at that time on record that when you are going to make deal for land in Mumbai you should remember that there’s third eye, there will be press, there will be CBI, and therefore you will need to finalize land deal with full transparency through competitive bids. There was no friendship involved.

– NTC had Rs 1800 crore debt. We earned Rs 2,000 crore through NTC land deals. Of them Rs 1800 crore were paid for NTC debt. There’s no private business involved.

– I want to tell NDA government that this is like thieves taking action against police.We will not hesitate to do the same with present CM/PM in future one day. The path they have taken without any base is not proper. If there’s FIR, then do arrest me.

– CBI people came to my place. I extended full cooperation. They searched for five hours. All they found was a letterhead and visiting card of the time when I was union Minister. I want to add that I keep even my 1977 era visiting card. I told them they can open any cupboard. They checked two houses of my sons. I told them they are his master voice and therefore they are free to do whatever they want to do. I said there’s no lock and they can move anywhere. There were more than 12 officers involved in raid.

– During five hours search period, somebody was monitoring the operation. Out of 10 hours, I observed for 8 hours that after every 15 minutes, regular calls were received by officers involved in raid inquiring about files, bank account, trust details. I have been in public life with full transparency. They conducted raid for 10 hours. They didn’t get even one objectionable thing. This is pure vindictiveness by BJP and NDA government.

– Why? Because BJP is going to face local self government elections and 2017 general polls. This is their house. It is going to break. They are going to suffer defeat in local polls. This is the path they have taken to damage us. People will not tolerate this.

– After these many years why this action? I knew there’s third eye and therefore all procedures of NTC land deals were completed with full transparency. We sold mills in Ahmedabad and even developed a new mill. Officers were involved in decision making process. Minister doesn’t sit in this process. Minister just decides policy and I decided policy to sell the mills.

– 5-7 mills were sold in Mumbai. In Ahmedabad there could be 3-4 mills we sold.

– Congress is very positive in this issue. It was UPA government in power. We are one. There’s no division or differences within party on this issue.

– CBI people told me they will not leak this procedure to press, but at around 2.00 pm news arrived from Delhi like I was thief of Rs 1,700 crore.

– It is our goal that we want to kick out BJP from its house which is Gujarat in year 2017 general election.

– Phone calls were coming in within 15 minutes and officials were going to corner to talk over phone. Instructions were received. Out of 10 hours, 7 hours passed in this.

– This was sponsored action to divert attention from issue involving Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj. This they could do before five years, one year.

– I want to say that if I am guilty then hang me, but don’t do such character assassination.

– I was not questioned. They came for search only.

– It is mentioned that I have 9 houses, but that’s not true. They raided just my place and places of my sons Bharatbhai and Mahendrabhai.

– I will consult advocate. My reactions depend on their actions.

– I came to know about FIR only in newspaper. I am concerned party. They should show me FIR. This was their first investigation. FIR is not simple thing.

– NDA govt is in power and they have right to do whatever they want to do.

– Today morning I came to know that CBI people have arrived. Before 6.00 am I was not knowing. In fact nobody was knowing. Those accompanying(the raiding team) were also unaware about where they were heading to.

– I will stay unaffected even-if such raid continues for days. We are in public life and up-downs do happen.

– Party high command is in touch, they were worrying what is this.

– This is not personalized issue, this is political issue. We will go to public and raised the questions.

– Searching teams checked trust deed, bank accounts related papers.

– I have not bought plane, or my property has not increased.

– DeshGujarat