Forest Minister Dinesh Agarwal, who is in the eye of a controversy over his alleged involvement in protecting the land mafia in the State capital, has hit back at his detractors. Addressing mediapersons at Vidhan Sabha here on Thursday, Agarwal claimed that he is being targeted as part of a conspiracy by the members of Opposition party.
The Minister who appeared in a belligerent mood said that political Opposition should not stoop down to such low levels to score political points. He said that there many aspirants for the BJP ticket in the Dharampur assembly constituency which he represents and since unprecedented developmental activities are taking place in the area these BJP ticket aspirants have become restless.
He alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to malign his reputation. The minister said that former BJP Councillor Govind Rana has listed 18 dubious land deals in the state capital in his complaint to Chief Minister. He said that he would request CM to constitute a high level inquiry in these land deals so that the culprits are exposed. Agarwal said that CM wants to develop Dehradun as smart city and is doing all the efforts for it.
He however said that at present the city is one of the ugliest city in the country due to garbage and sanitation problems. The minister advised the councilors to leave the matters of development to elected MlAs and concentrate their energies on the sanitation works in their areas. On the question of former Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) recent uttering in which he had alleged the involvement of a cabinet minister and other political leaders for supporting land mafia in the capital, Agarwal said that the concerned officer is bounded by service rules and should abide by it.