New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government for mishandling the Vijay Mallya issue, saying that the Centre was either clueless or purposely turning a blind eye over the whole case.
“First Lalit Modi and now Mallya-Modi govt. is either clueless or purposely turning a blind eye- whichever the case such mishandling is worrying,” Kumar tweeted.
Earlier, the Congress Party also targeted the NDA Government alleging that Prime Minister Modi, who made tall claims prior to the Lok Sabha polls, has presented two gifts Non-Returning Indian (NRI) Lalit Modi and Non-Repaying Indian (NRI) Vijay Mallya to the nation.
Congress leader Randeep Sujrewala alleged that there was a direct involvement of the BJP-led NDA Government in Mallya fleeing the nation without any hindrance.
Meanwhile, Mallya today rubbished claims that he had absconded from the country.
In a series of tweets, the liquor baron said he is an international businessman, who travels from India frequently, and added that he is not an absconder.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, yesterday accused the NDA Government of helping Mallya escape India.
“This government is part and party in the criminal conspiracy in him fleeing the country. Without the help of the government, he could not have escaped,” the Congress leader said.
“Vijay Mallya is not a needle that can’t be found. He is a tall and well-endowed man who can be seen from 1 km away. He doesn’t travel alone; instead he is always accompanied by ‘hoors’ and he disappears?” he said.
The Supreme Court had on Wednesday brushed aside a plea by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to direct Mallya to appear personally before the court to force him to come back to India.
The case will be next heard on March 30.
The SBI, which leads a consortium of 17 lenders to King Fisher Airlines, declared Mallya wilful defaulter last month. Besides the SBI, United Bank of India (UBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) have also declared Mallya as wilful defaulter. (ANI)