Minister debunks allegations by Congress

Bhopal, Sep 4 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Public Health Engineering Minister Choudhary Chandrabhan Singh today rejected as ''baseless'' allegations levelled against him by Congress Legislative Party spokesperson Satyadeo Katare regarding purchase of property worth crores of rupees.

Talking to reporters here today, Mr Singh alleged that the Congress was levelling false and baseless charges against ministers, as it was afraid of developmental works being carried out by the BJP-ruled Shivraj Singh Chouhan Government.

He said he had purchased 12.5 acre land in Chhindwara for Rs 32 lakh by selling another plece of land. However, Mr Katare claimed that the land was purchased for Rs 1.5 core. He was willing to sell it for Rs 50 lakh to Mr Katare.

Parrying questions regarding getting the allegations probed by the CBI, he said any inquiry was based on facts but charges levelled against him were baseless.

On whether he would take initiative for a CBI inquiry, Mr Singh said how could inquiry be demanded in the absence of facts.

Replying to a question, he said he would like Mr Katare to apologise or else he would consider moving court in this regard.

On similar allegations levelled by the Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) against him, he said BJ General Secretary Prahlad Patel was expelled from the BJP because he amassed disproportionate wealth.

On whether the government would order inquiry into Mr Patel acquiring wealth, he said public would give a verdict in this regard.

Regarding demand by the Congress that ministers declare their assets on the floor of House, Mr Singh said every candidate is required to declare his asset before election. If necessity arises, he would declare his assets on the floor of House.

In his written statement, Mr Singh asserted that allegations being levelled against him were baseless and a part of a political conspiracy, which would not be allowed to succeed.

UNI