MP PL Punia witness to 20-minute meeting of Mallya & Jaitley in Parliament: Gandhi

"Punia saw the meeting between Mallya & Jailtey that lasted for 15-20 minutes on the bench. The finance minister is lying, PM & FM both colluded with an economic offender. Jaitley has admitted that Mallya had informed him of going to UK. He gave Mallya free passage to run away. But FM did not alert CBI. He should resign forthwith," the Congress President demanded.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses press conference along with party leaders Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Gehlot and PL Punia in the national capital.

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a full-blown attack on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who is under back foot for allegedly meeting liquor baron Vijay Mallay in the premises of Parliament two days before he fled the country in March 2016. Addressing a press conference along with Randeep Surjewala, Gandhi brought along senior party leader and parliamentarian PL Punia who claimed to have been a witness to the Mallya and Jaitley meet in the Central Hall. "Vijay Mallya came to Parliament only to meet Arun Jaitley, that was his first visit to the Parliament during the entire Session. I was surprised to know Mallya left the country after meeting Jaitley in Central Hall just 2 days ago (Mar 1, 2016). I am ready to quit politics if the CCTV footage will prove me wrong," Punia, who is also AICC general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh, said. Gandhi has been vehemently demanding resignation of Jaitley for not being able to stop Mallaya despite being aware of his plans to flee the country. "Punia saw the meeting between Mallya & Jailtey that lasted for 15-20 minutes on the bench. The finance minister is lying, PM & FM both colluded with an economic offender. Jaitley has admitted that Mallya had informed him of going to UK. He gave Mallya free passage to run away. But FM did not alert CBI. He should resign forthwith," the Congress President demanded. Earlier during the day, to combat Gandhi's demand for probe over the whole matter, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that Gandhi family travelled free in Kingfisher Airlines and their tickets were upgraded to Business Class on most flights. The meeting between Mallya and Jaitley broke into a political storm on Wednesday after the embattled liquor tycoon said outside a London court that he met the Finance Minister before leaving India making a settlement offer with banks.

Mallya came to Parliament to only meet Jaitley,that was his first visit to the Parl during the entire Parl Session.I was surprised to know Mallya left the country after meeting Jaitley in Central Hall just 2 days ago (Mar 1, 2016). CCTV footage will prove it: Cong leader PL Punia pic.twitter.com/f4ehUXPbTu

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) September 13, 2018

To rebut his claims, Jaitley confirmed that he met Mallya before the tycoon fled the country but claified that it was a forced encounter in the corridors of Parliament and not a structured meeting.

Punia saw the meeting between Mallya & Jailtey lasted for 15-20 mins. FM is lying, PM & FM both colluded with an economic offender. FM has admitted that Mallya had informed him of going to UK. He gave Mallya free passage to run away. But FM did not alert CBI. He should resign: RG pic.twitter.com/hhtWqSbx6x

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) September 13, 2018

Mallya is facing charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. He has refused to return to India.