Kejriwal hits back, invites Sonia, Rahul for a public debate on corruption

New Delhi: A day after Digvijaya Singh questioned him on foreign funding behind his NGO, activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal launched a counter attack against the Congress leader, saying his party must answer on Robert Vadra issue first. Kejriwal has said he will reply to all of Digvijaya's questions after the Congress comes clean on questions to Robert Vadra and the Prime Minister. Kejriwal has also challenged Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi for a public debate.

Kejriwal has tweeted saying, "I request Mr Digvijay to encourage Mrs Gandhi, PM or Mr Rahul Gandhi to come for a public debate. Place n time of their choice. Let's question each other n let public question us on personal n public issues. Digvijay ready? We had put some questions to Mr Robert Vadra & the PM. Let them answer first. Then, we will answer."

Earlier, Digvijaya on Saturday posed a number of questions to Kejriwal raising doubts about off-shore funding of his NGO and asking why he never raised issue of corruption in BJP-ruled states. Singh sent the activist a list of 27 questions asking him to "respond to them with clarity and honesty as you demand from others."

"Why there are no details of individual donors and Corporate donors on any website of your NGOs....Is it a fact that the NGO, Kabir, with whom you are closely associated, received $ 172000 and $ 197000 from Ford Foundation in 2005 and 2009 respectively? "Was this foreign money used to organise seminars, advocacy, discussions, programmes, social media campaigns and publicity material related to the issue of corruption?" Singh asked.

The AICC leader also sought to know Kejriwal's "relationship with US based NGO Avaaz" which, he said, has been funding civil disobedience movement in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Syria. Singh said, "What is the logistical and other support your anti-corruption movement received from Avaaz?" In the backdrop of the controversy surrounding land deals of some of Kejriwal's associates including Prashant Bhusan and Anjali Damania, Singh asked the activist whether he will be "willing to take responsibility as a leader and resign from IAC or give up public life, if any of his staff members of colleagues in the IAC are found to have been involved in any irregularity."

Singh reminded while Kejriwal asked for the resignation of Law Minister Salman Khurshid for irregularity committed by people working in his Trust, he "never objected when Anna Hazare said that he cannot be held responsible for the action of colleagues/office-bearers in Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Trust" Singh, a known detractor of Kejriwal, also sought to know from him as to why he "never raised issue of corruption in the BJP-ruled states" though local press and political parties and CAG have reported cases of corruption there.

"You have been asking for Jan Lokpal in Government of India but have not questioned Narendra Modi, who has successfully blocked appointment of Lokayuktas in Gujarat since 2002. Would be please explain, why?", he asked. Singh also asked some questions related to Kejriwal and his wife's service tenure and rules saying "you have always preached that we, politicians, should not violate rules and regulations but to the best of my knowledge, you have violated provisions of All India Service Rules yourself.

"Is it a fact that in your entire service of 20 years in Indian Revenue Service, you never served outside Delhi even though the norms of the service are that all IRS officers serve a posting only for three years in a place? Is it a fact that even your wife, who is also an IRS officer, has never served outside Delhi?

"Is it a fact that any serving officer, who goes on study leave for two years with full pay has to submit a full report of his study to the Government? Is it a fact that you did not submit a full report but only an interim report with a promise to submit a full report later, which you never did," he asked.

Singh sought to know whether Kejriwal, while in service, took permission from the ministry to receive foreign and private funds for his NGO. "As a serving officer of IRS did you take permission of Government to form your NGO?, Singh asked.

Singh further asked Kejriwal, "Is it a fact that you took a cheque of Rs 2 crore to Anna Hazare and he refused to accept as he felt collection was much more? A senior member of your Core Committee has alleged that you have misappropriated funds to the tune of Rs 20 crore. Why you have not responded to this charge?"

(With additional inputs from PTI)

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