I'm Like Football Being Kicked By 2 Teams, NDA And UPA: Vijay Mallya

New Delhi: Liquor baron Vijay Mallya has compared himself to a 'football' being kicked around by "two fiercely competitive teams", in reference to the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA, following the Centre's intention to frame a legislation to prevent loan defaulters from fleeing the country. Alleging that the media has been used against him, Mr Mallya criticised the ongoing investigation by the CBI as well as efforts to extradite him from the UK.

Mr Mallya took to micro-blogging site Twitter and said, "Media happily being used as the pitch. I am the football. Two fiercely competitive teams NDA versus UPA playing. Unfortunately, no referees."

Media happily being used as the pitch. I am the football. Two fiercely competitive teams NDA versus UPA playing.Unfortunately no Referees.

- Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) February 3, 2017

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in his 2017-18 budget presented on February 1, stated that the Centre plans to bring in a law to confiscate assets of absconding economic offenders till they submit to the judiciary.

Mr Mallya, a former Rajya Sabha member, also criticised the ongoing CBI investigations against him and the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Last week, a non-bailable warrant was issued against the liquor baron in a Rs 720 crore IDBI Bank loan default case.

"Am shocked at CBI allegations. All false and misconceived to say the least. What do a bunch of elite police know about business and economics?," Mr Mallya tweeted.
 

Am shocked at CBI allegations.All false and misconceived to say the least What do a bunch of elite Police know about business and Economics?

- Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) February 3, 2017

Vijay Mallya had left India on March 2 after agencies reported that his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines owes over Rs 9,000 crore to various banks. The total attachments in this case has now shot up to Rs 8,041 crore, which is one of the largest attachments of assets made by the Enforcement Directorate in a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) case.

Mr Mallya had earlier stated that he wishes to work on a settlement with the banks.

(with inputs from PTI)