Cong backs Robert Vadra in the face of Kerjiwal's allegation 

Congress on Friday backed Robert Vadra, Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, to the hilt in the wake of an allegation by civil society activists Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan that he was hugely favoured by realty major DLF.  As the allegation created a political storm, AICC spokespersons as also several Union Ministers went ballistic against the "so-called civil society activists" dubbing the charges as "baseless and utterly irresponsible". The defence of 43-year-old Vadra from Congress came as Gandhi, along with party top brass including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was holding consultations at the party's core group meeting which discussed among other things Narendra Modi's claim about the travel expenses of the UPA chairperson and BJP's campaign of "disinformation". "Those very forces that were responsible for attempts to malign Congress leadership in 1970s and 80s have now resurfaced in a new Avtar," party spokesman Manish Tewari said. He said the press conference of Kejriwal is "not even a poliltical conspiracy. It is worst kind of a political chicanery." Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also came out in support of Vadra. "We have not favoured anyone. We have given the land through internatinal bidding to the highest bidder in a transparent manner," Hooda told reporters here. AICC asked all its spokespersons to strongly refute the charges made by activists against Vadra. Asked whether a defamation case is being filed against Kejriwal, Tewari said private remedy is available to a private individual. "We are not going to second guess or comment," he added.