UP govt harassing me: V P Singh's son

Lucknow, Sep 1 (UNI) Ajay Singh, professional banker and son of former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh, today charged the ruling Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh with targeting his multiplex at Allahabad for political vendetta.

''Although I do not have specific allegation against anyone, the ruling SP leaders and supporters are behind the violent demonstration and for damaging my multiplex on August 24,'' he added.

Talking to media for the first time over the issue, Mr Singh, a known figure in the banking sector, claimed such activities by the state government would certainly put a spanner on the investment plans by the multinationals in UP.

''I have cleared all norms before constructing Atlantis Multiplex in Civil Lines area...still, Allahabad Development Authority (ADA) is trying to make all sort of obstructions to harass me.'' Asked if the SP government was targeting the multiplex to level scores against his father, who was leading an agitation against the Reliance power project at Dadri, Ajay said it cannot be ruled out.

''But, how can a government, which speaks high on investment can do so to prevent them from coming to the state,'' he questioned.

Alleging the Allahabad district authorities were not providing security cover at the multiplex, while the role of the police and the UP government was suspicious, now the companies, who are opening their shops in the multiplex, are in a very sticky mood.

Denying neither he had evicted anyone from the plot purchased from the ADA nor he violated any norms, he said all charges levelled against him were aimed at harassing him.

Mr Singh had purchased the 4,000 sq meter plot from ADA in an auction at Rs 4 crore in September 2002 and the multiplex has a carpet area of over 1 lakh sq feet. The construction work of the multiplex has been completed and now only the finishing is being given.

Earlier on June 1, the Allahabad district authority had sealed the multiplex, which only housed Mc Donalds over some parking issue.

Later, the seal was lifted on the order of the Allahabad High Court.

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