Congress rubbishes Kejriwal allegations, tries to turn the tables on IAC

The Congress on Wednesday dismissed the allegations of Arvind Kejriwal that the UPA government was favouring Mukesh Ambani as "baseless" and sought to turn the table on the activist questioning the source of funding of India Against Corruption.

"It is baseless. Nowadays it is fashionable of IAC to make accusations. From where you are getting funds? Who is funding the IAC... It is Ford Foundation from Ramlila Maidan to this press conference," AICC general secretary BK Hariprasad told reporters.

Suggesting a nexus between BJP and Kejriwal, Hariprasad questioned, "Why he is not going to states, which are neck-deep in corruption. He should first come clean on charges levelled against him before making accusations at others. If Mukesh Ambani is running the government, the IAC is run by people abroad - the Ford Foundation and others."

Accusing Kejriwal of doing this for media attention, the Congress leader said, "Everyday they want to be in news. Everyday they shoot and scoot and then run away."

The Congress leader was reacting to the allegations by Kerjiwal that the UPA and the previous NDA governments had favoured Mukesh Ambani and his company by giving a contract on gas exploration in KG Basin and concessions at a huge cost to the exchequer.

Attacking the decision to shift S Jaipal Reddy from Petroleum Ministry, Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan alleged it was now "absolutely crystal clear" that he was eased out of the crucial ministry only on account of "pressure" from Reliance Industries.