New Delhi:
Facing allegations of misappropriation of funds by his NGO, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid today addressed the media on the raging controversy. Mr Khurshid, who returned from London today, has been on the receiving end of strong criticism by India Against Corruption members led by Arvind Kejriwal. Members of the anti-graft group have been protesting in Delhi for the past three days, demanding his immediate resignation. Today, Mr Khurshid released documents and pictures as proof of camps that his trust held in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Here are the highlights of what Mr Khurshid said:
- I will not answer questions today on a person from the street who is making allegations.
- These are not allegations against my party. These are allegations against my trust, which I am very close to.
- The core issue is clear and categorical. The core issue is Rs 75 lakh were given to the trust I head and Louise is the project director for 17 camps in Uttar Pradesh. Those camps were not held. So, the money was diverted - that is the core issue.
- CAG has said that no camps have been held. Rs 71 lakhs should be returned with interest.
- These are pictures of camps that they say were not held.
- I have personally inaugurated some of the camps they say were not held.
- This is a letter written personally to me by Aroon Purie. In it he says, "I got involved in the story. I have a high regard for Salman. But we have found official documents. On 9th, he said that Salman is the worst person in the face of the earth. We have no agenda against anyone, but we have found case that important documents have been forged." How remarkably his mind changed in one day from Oct 8 to Oct 9.
- We have no option but to file a defamation case against Aaj Tak.
- I had a lot of respect for the media. But this has changed some of my feelings. Some of you have sent me messages, saying we all are not the same. Thank you.
- When I was being honoured in Oxford, Aaj Tak here was showing what a bad man India's Law Minister is.
- You can go to any of the 17 districts. And speak to the differently-abled.
- I will answer questions out of my own conscience. Not because Kejriwal is asking me to.
- We cannot explain the mysterious affidavit, it came from the UP Govt; it should be inquired.
- Don't know why documents didn't reach the CAG.
- Nobody is saying I have done this or I have signed this. But because I am the chairman of the trust, I take responsibility.
- I kept telling them your story is a source story; they kept saying it's a sting operation.