Sons held in MGNREGA ‘scam’ | ‘Preparing for PM’s Dahod visit’: Minister Khabad explains absence from Cabinet meeting

Khabad said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Dahod on May 26 and so I did not attend the Cabinet meeting (in Gandhinagar). I am here to hold meetings in Devgadh Baria, Dhanpur and Dahod to ensure numbers… and arrangements for the Prime Ministers’ event”.

“I will be visiting the venue (of the public address)… I have even given my report of absence to the Chief Minister and I am a leader who is found among the people. I am a minister and I am not on the run. I am in my constituency today and working for the people… On what basis are people claiming that I am underground? I am very much in public. The investigation will keep happening but I am working for the people,” Khabad added.

Stating that he was among those BJP leaders, who ensured leads of over one lakh votes for the party during the elections, Khabad mentioned the “support of 1.5 lakh voters” and expressed confidence in the ongoing probe.

He said, “I am a leader, who is among the people. I get (for the party) leads of over a lakh (during elections). I have the backing of 1.5 lakh voters. My district is with me and has faith in me… It is after the judgment in the case that one can decide if (the sons) are guilty or not… We — both my sons and me — are cooperating with the investigation in every possible way. It is a judicial matter. It is a false case. The truth will be brought out in the investigation.”In the video, Khabad also defended his sons and claimed that they had “done no wrong”.

The minister remained unavailable for direct comments.