NEW DELHI: India’s wealthiest tycoon Mukesh Ambani rejected yesterday allegations by anti-corruption fighter Arvind Kejriwal that he holds illegal accounts abroad.
Anti-corruption campaigner Kejriwal, who resigned earlier this month after a 49-day stormy stint as chief minister of New Delhi, has launched a barrage of attacks on the billionaire.
At a recent election rally, Kejriwal, who heads the Aam Aadmi Party or Common Man Party, read out numbers of what he alleged were two Swiss bank accounts belonging to Mukesh Ambani and his younger
sibling Anil.
“Neither Reliance Industries Limited nor Mr Mukesh Ambani have or had any illegitimate accounts anywhere in the world,” said a statement by the petrochemical-to-retail conglomerate.
The net worth of Mukesh Ambani is listed at $21bn by Forbes and the Reliance Industries that he controls is a behemoth straddling India’s economy. The statement noted Reliance has business interests in several countries with vast turnovers.
As part of “normal business, these international subsidiaries” deal with several global banks, the statement said, adding the accounts are “fully compliant with all regulations”.
There was no immediate comment from Anil Ambani, also a powerful businessman worth $6bn, according to Forbes.
Kejriwal came to power in Delhi following December state elections on a tide of lower and middle class support for his tough anti-corruption stance. Reliance, with around a $50-billion-market value, said the “tirade of baseless allegations” by the Aam Admi Party “appears to be instigated by vested interests”, without
elaborating. AFP
