IAC activist Arvind Kejriwal will attempt to protest at the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at around midday today, demanding the resignation of Law Minister Salman Khurshid in connection with financial irregularities in a organisation that is headed by the minister and his wife.
Kejriwal and IAC are alleging that Khurshid and his wife siphoned off funds from the Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust that they run in Uttar Pradesh.
Talking to reporters in Lucknow on Wednesday, IAC member Sanjay Singh had used a investigative report by a television channel to allege that large scale irregularities had emerged into grants given by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to the trust. The funds were meant to be used for schemes to benefit physically challenged.
Kejriwal was earlier due to march to Sonia Gandhi’s house: PTI
Singh alleged that instead of distributing the aid the grant was embezzled by organising fake camps and using fake signatures of officers. The story first came to light due to a sting operation conducted by news channel Aaj Tak.
Kejriwal was originally due to protest at Congress president Sonia Gandhi‘s residence, but the IAC announced last night that plans had changed.
““Tomorrow, disabled people will march towards 7 RCR, the official residence of the Prime Minister. The earlier plans have been changed,” a member of the group said.
Meanwhile acting on the request of Law Minister Salman Khurshid’s wife Louis Khurshid, the Uttar Pradesh government has begun the process of verifying the handicapped welfare examination report of the trust, for the 2009-2010 period.
In a communication to Louis Khurshid on 3 October, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav told her that he has forwarded her letter in this regard to the Chief Secretary of the state’s Handicapped Welfare Department, and she will be apprised of the action taken there of.
The Congress party has been largely silent about Kejriwal’s allegations, but an incensed Khurshid told the NDTV news channel that he intended to sue the IAC activist.
“What they have done is worse than gutter snipes. The only answer they deserve is suitable suits filed in court – and that will be done both civil and criminal procedures”, he said.
He added, “I don’t think Mr. Kejriwal deserves a reply from anybody. But we’ll take care of Mr Kejriwal in due course, don’t worry.”
With inputs from agencies
