Amarinder questions govt motive in selective info from Swiss authorities

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh on Wednesday questioned timing and motives of the Centre in seeking 'selective information' from Swiss authorities about the purported account details of his wife and former minister Preneet Kaur and son Raninder Singh.

Amarinder said despite his wife and son having already furnished all details and answers to questions raised by Income Tax department from time to time, the Government of India with an "obvious questionable motive" wanted to highlight this particular case.

He alleged that the information is aimed at stalling the proposed reshuffle of Punjab Congress due to which the ruling BJP-Akali alliance in the state is feeling "threatened" and that is why the Centre is using "dirty tricks" and central agencies to "harass" him and his family. The Amritsar MP is likely to lead Punjab Congress in the proposed reshuffle which is to be announced soon.

"The matter of 'foreign bank accounts' is pending before Income Tax Authorities since 2011 where it has been clearly stated that neither my wife, nor my son or me have any foreign bank account," he clarified and pointed out that the Swiss authorities in their notification have nowhere stated that Praneet Kaur and Raninder Singh have Swiss bank account(s).

This notification is a matter of procedure to be followed in respect of individuals whose names are sent by Indian Government enquiring about accounts, he said.

Amarinder alleged that it was clearly aimed by the BJP government at the Centre to help its beleaguered partner Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, which has been cornered in the recent past for multiple failures.

Meanwhile, BJP said legal action would be initiated against former Congress minister Preneet Kaur and others stashing away unaccounted cash “if proper evidence is found”. BJP also hinted that some legislative measures were on the anvil in the upcoming parliament session against black money. “If proper evidence is found, which we feel we will get soon, legal action against them would be initiated,” BJP spokesperson MJ Akbar said when asked about action against former Union minister Preneet Kaur and her son Raninder Singh.