Allegations Against Nitin Gadkari and Purti Group
Gadkari and his Purti Group face allegations of engaging in a real estate scam, specifically concerning the acquisition of farmers' land. This scandal highlights the challenges posed by activist Arvind Kejriwal and his India Against Corruption (IAC) party to political figures.
Real Estate Scam Shakes Politics
Real estate scandal allegations have rocked the political landscape for some time. Politicians are struggling to counter the claims made by Arvind Kejriwal and his political party, India Against Corruption (IAC).
Politicians Under Scrutiny
After allegations against Sharad Pawar and Robert Vadra, another politician's name surfaces in a scam. Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and owner of Purti Group, is accused of robbing poor farmers' land. Real estate is just one of the many areas of interest for the Purti Group.
Gadkari's Business Ventures
Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the President of BJP, has been successfully running a firm without much media attention. His company, Purti Power and Sugar Ltd., is allegedly controlled by his astrologer and driver directors. Purti Group has some unusual investors, including those with slum addresses. The firm has allegedly acquired a loan of Rs 165-crore.
Real Estate Scams Exposed
Real estate scams involving politicians were initially brought to light by India Against Corruption leader Mr. Arvind Kejriwal. He first exposed the suspicious Robert Vadra-DLF deals, followed by allegations against Sharad Pawar and his family in a real estate scam.
Sharad Pawar's Allegations
Sharad Pawar was accused of a hidden deal behind Lavasa’s Lake City project. Despite being the Union Agriculture Minister, he had no role in Maharashtra government’s real estate dealings. However, his family member Ajit Pawar and a Mrs. Sule were found to have shares in the Lake City Project.
Media Investigation
Inspired by Mr. Kejriwal’s findings, the media conducted a cross-check. They discovered that Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, had shown special favor to Gadkari’s NGO. RoC documents supported the case file against Mr. Gadkari.
Scrutiny of Firms and Politicians
RoC documents have been instrumental in exposing the Vadra-DLF dealings. These records have also shed light on the suspicious dealings of Mr. Gadkari. Mr. Kejriwal revealed how the son-in-law of the Congress president rose to power quickly. Meanwhile, RoC documents proved the fake addresses of the directors of Gadkari’s NGO, raising more questions.
Transparency and Accountability
Firms with politicians’ involvement and rapid growth should be scrutinized. Politicians with direct or indirect shareholdings in these firms should also be under observation. Many politicians hold shares in the names of their relatives or associates, appointing drivers or astrologers as directors.
Preventing Black Money Flow
Indian politicians prefer investing in companies with government support. These companies have become platforms for politicians to gain wealth. Ambitious politicians exploit such firms to siphon government wealth. Every top politician should be scrutinized to ensure transparency and accountability. Their political careers should not be misused to amass wealth. Journalists must remain vigilant to check the flow of black money.
Revealing Business Partners
Top politicians must disclose their business partners and associates. This will limit the chances of high-level corruption and scams. Notably, real estate remains a main field of interest for many politicians.