Union Minister Slams RaGa Over 'ED Raid' Claim, Tells Akhilesh To Shed Political Lens On Nazul Land Bill Issue

Union Minister BL Verma has criticized Rahul Gandhi's tweet about a planned ED raid, claiming that the central took action against leaders during the UPA government as well.

MoS Banwari Lal Verma and Rahul Gandhi.

Source : PTI/Insta@blvermaup

Union Minister of State Banwari Lal Verma has slammed Rahul Gandhi for his tweet on 'Enforcement Directorate insiders', claiming that a raid was being planned against him. Verma said that between 2004 and 2014, during the UPA government, led by the Congress, too, the ED had initiated action against prominent leaders.

"When Rahul questions [the ED], he forgets the corruption of his tenure and has forgotten the arrests from 2004 to 2014. If he has not done anything, then why is he afraid," Verma said.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier said that the planned ED action was a result of his 'chakravyuh' speech. On July 29, Rahul Gandhi had in Parliament accused PM Narendra Modi of trapping Indians in a modern-day 'chakravyuh', like the Kauravs had ensnared Abhimanyu in the Mahabharat war. He said just like six Kauravs had trapped Abhimanyu, India's youth, farmers, women, and small businesspersons were being trapped by PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, NSA Ajit Doval, and businessmen Ambani and Adani.

Apparently, 2 in 1 didn’t like my Chakravyuh speech. ED ‘insiders’ tell me a raid is being planned.

Waiting with open arms @dir_ed…..Chai and biscuits on me.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 1, 2024

On Akhilesh Yadav and the INDIA bloc's claim that the BJP in UP is experiencing a rift, Verma said everything was fine. "Everything is OK in BJP in Delhi and the state. If a person from the state meets someone in Delhi, there should be no problem."

He further accused Akhilesh Yadav of politicising the Nazul Land Bill issue. He said BJP leaders will sit and discuss the Nazul Bill and a decision will be taken soon.

"I would like to tell Akhilesh Yadav to first understand things... A lot of changes have happened in our government and Yogi Adityanath is bringing more changes. Akhilesh's problem is that he sees everything through the lens of politics," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday alleged that the Nazul Land Bill was being brought for the "personal benefit of some people in the BJP who want to grab plots around them". In a veiled dig at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav said: "There are many such plots in Gorakhpur, which some people want to grab to expand their sphere of influence. It is hoped that the Chief Minister will take suo motu cognisance and will not let any such plan succeed, especially in Gorakhpur."

नज़ूल ज़मीन विधेयक दरअसल भाजपा के कुछ लोगों के व्यक्तिगत फ़ायदे के लिए लाया जा रहा है जो अपने आसपास की ज़मीन को हड़पना चाहते हैं। गोरखपुर में ऐसी कई ज़मीने हैं जिन्हें कुछ लोग अपने प्रभाव-क्षेत्र के विस्तार के लिए हथियाना चाहते हैं। आशा है मुख्यमंत्री जी स्वत: संज्ञान लेते हुए…

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 1, 2024

 

What Is The UP Nazul Land Bill?

A new legislative proposal in Uttar Pradesh seeks to bring clarity and control of the management of Nazul land, a category of government-owned property not directly administered by the state. The Uttar Pradesh Nazul Property Bill, 2024, aims to prevent the unauthorised conversion of these lands into private assets, ensuring they remain under government management.

Key provisions of the Bill include the automatic cancellation of any court proceedings or applications seeking to transfer Nazul land to private individuals or entities. Furthermore, any payments made to transfer ownership in future will be refunded with interest at the prevailing market rate. The Bill also empowers the government to extend lease agreements for existing leaseholders who are in compliance with the terms and have paid rent regularly.

This measure would allow responsible leaseholders to continue using the land while maintaining its status as government property.