BJP leaders bought many parcels of land before demonetisation, claims report

Just before the demonetisation rule, BJP  members invested money in property in Bihar. (File)

Did some BJP functionaries go on a land purchasing spree before the demonetisation policy was announced? According to a news report in catchnews.com, the party purchased several parcels of land in Bihar as late as first week of November. The website has released some deeds of the properties, including some purchased in the name of BJP chief Amit Shah.

BJP Bihar MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, one of the senior party functionaries who bought the land, said such purchases were made everywhere and not just Bihar. “We are merely the signatory authority; the money came from the party… the plots were bought for building party offices and other purposes,” Catchnews.com quoted him.

The report claimed land, ranging between 250 sq feet and half an acre, was bought in Madhubani, Katihar, Madhepura, Lakhisarai, Kishanganj and Arwal. The transactions ranged between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 1.16 crore.

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In a tweet, Congress leader Salman Soz said it was a serious allegation and the BJP should respond to it. His party colleague Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned if the secrecy over demonetisation was a sham.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation move on November 8, ending the use of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. However, since then there have been reports that some people, especially within the ruling party, knew about the move and it was not that secret afterall.