GANDHI AUCTION
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Govt hints Mallya was its bidder at the auction
Published on Sat, Mar 07, 2009 at 12:22, Updated on Sat, Mar 07, 2009 at 20:33 in India section
Tags: Mahatma Gandhi, Auction , New Delhi
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New Delhi: After the high voltage drama in New York's Manhattan, another drama unfloding back in India is over the controversial Gandhi items auction.
Soon after Bapu's belongings came into the Indian kitty Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni, held a press conference to claim credit clearly stating that liquour baron Vijay Mallya was playing proxy for the Indian government in the bid.
“We have been able to procure them through the services of an Indian Vijay Mallya who was in touch with us,” says Ambika.
Helping her stake claim, the Congress leadership patted itself for the Indian triumph.
“You have seen the herculean efforts of the Congress-led UPA who ensured India’s heritage back to us,” says Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
But sitting in distance France, Vijay Mallya was unaware that the Government was spilling beans. He categorically said that he hadn't been contacted by the Government of India to bid for the lot at the Antiquorum Auction House.
“My decision to acquire these items had nothing to do with what the Government would or would not do,” says Mallya.
Perhaps in its excitement to claim victory over an issue that had given the Government nightmares over the past few days, it forgot that it had decided to go with status confidential on the issue.
It had not wanted to disclose who their proxy bidder in New York would be. Only, now, it seems to telling only half truths to a nation in waiting.
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Mr. Mallya owes Oil companies Rs. 600 Crores for fuel supplies. If as a quid-pro-quo, he plans to delay these
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