Cong demands Goyal’s resignation over scam

| | New Delhi

The Congress on Tuesday mounted pressure on the Modi Government demanding immediate resignation of Cabinet Minister Piyush Goyal over allegations of his involvement in a Rs 48 crore scam. Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused Goyal of being involved in Flashnet scam, which he said is about “deceit, conflict of interest and greed”.

Goyal retaliated saying that unlike Rahul, who is a ‘naamdaar’ (dynast), he is a ‘kaamdaar’ (worker) and has not learnt the art of living without working.

Rahul, who attacked Goyal on Twitter, also used a picture along with his tweet, alleging that the Railway Minister sold his stock of Flashnet Info Solutions to Piramal group, which has interests in the power sector, at 1,000 times the face value. He alleged that this happened when Goyal was the Minister of State for Power.

“Piyush Goyal’s, 48 crore Flashnet scam is about deceit, conflict of interest and greed. The evidence is on the table. Yet, the media will not touch the story.

It is a tragedy for our country when journalists entrusted to stand for the truth, will not speak,” Rahul said on Twitter, using the hashtag ‘GoyalMustResign’.

Goyal countered the Twitter attack with a tweet of his own. “Till 26th May 2014, before I became a Minister, I was a professional Chartered Accountant and investment banker. Unlike you, Mr Rahul Gandhi, I have not learnt well the art of living without working. I am also a ‘kaamdaar’ (worker) and not a ‘naamdaar’ (dynast).”

“I am a law topper, CA 2nd rank all over India, professional Chartered Accountant & investment banker and therefore, competent to give consultancy. BTW Mr @PChidambaram_IN who are the consultants in your son @KartiPC’s consultancy?,” Goyal posted on Twitter.

Asked at the AICC briefing about Goyal and Modi’s remarks on Rahul Gandhi, Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said the country today is not talking about ‘kaamdaar’ or ‘naamdaar’, but ‘imaandaar’.

“The people of the country are not thinking about who is ‘kaamdaar’ or ‘naamdaar’. Today, the only word that exists in the people’s heart is ‘imaandaar’ (honest). Whether you are honest, Mr Piyush Goyal and the prime minister should answer that in 15 minutes, and if possible in 15 seconds,” she said.