Documents Reveal Frenetic Efforts By Milind Deora To Persuade Rana Kapoor To Buy Rs 2 Crore Painting From Priyanka Vadra

In a major embarassment to Congress party, a series of letters purportedly written by Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Milind Deora to the new disgraced co-founder of Yes Bank Rana Kapoor in 2010, to facilitate the purchase of a painting of late former PM Rajiv Gandhi by artist M F Hussain have surfaced.

Emerging as a principal facilitator in what appears to be a murky transaction, several letters of Deora, addressing Yes Bank CEO him as 'Rana Uncle' and asking him to repeatedely contact Priyanka Vadra to initiate the purchase, has come in to light.

A cheque issued by Kapoor to Vadra for Rs 2 crores, for purchasing the painting has also been.

Several media reports have claimed that it was Deora who convinced Kapoor to buy the painting off Vadra back in 2010, and had repeatedly followed up with Kapoor after the latter appeared to have gone cold over the painting.

Here are the documents which point towards Deora’s role in the controversial transaction.

In the letter dated 1 May 2010 reported by Republic TV, Deora the then Mumbai South MP of the Congress while addressing Rana Kapoor as “Rana uncle” reminded him of his interest in purchasing the said portrait of Rajiv Gandhi.

“Being an avid collector of paintings your/Yes Bank purchasing it seems to make sense”, writes Deora in the letter.

Incidentally, this letter was followed by regular texts by Deora seeking a call with Kapoor - presumably with regards to the painting, as reported by Times Now.

In the text messages reported by Times Now, Deora can be seen repeatedly requesting Kapoor to call him and finally on 20 May texted, “I really need to convey a time-frame for when the cheque will be given. Even if it will take some more time please give me a date as they are asking me. I only fear that they should not lose interest”.

Deora became more worried in the coming days asking Kapoor to give a rough date as soon as possible as to when he will give the cheque, which he will then relay to Delhi.

“Am afraid that further delays in communicating the date to Delhi will give them an impression that Yes Bank is not serious. This might scuttle the transaction and won’t create a good impression in their minds”, writes Deora in documents quoted by Times Now.

Kapoor then appears to have reaffirmed his interest in the painting and sought a confirmation letter from Vadra which Deora said he will receive only after sending the cheque.

The in a text dated 21 May 2010, Deora says that as discussed “PG” would send him a letter agreeing to the sale of the painting and requested Kapoor to write back that he (Deora) and Kapoor have agreed on Rs 2 crore as the amount.

Kapoor then appears to have dillydallied over sending the cheque which resulted in regular reminders from Deora.

In another message date 29 May 2010 as reported by Times Now on air, Deora texted that “PG” and her mother want the cheque early next week itself and added that the whole exercise has unfortunately taken very long.

“Can you please reply by SMS the exact date by which the cheque can be given to her and I must communicate the same to my father and her asap. I know you are receiving SMSes so I’d really appreciate you reply”, reads one text message.

“Rana uncle please let me know when I can collect the cheque. I have been assuring them week after week that it’s happening and they have lost patience at this stage. Please trust me and don’t delay any further”, wrote Deora on 2 June 2010.

Kapoor subsequently sent a cheque dated 3 July 2010 and received an acknowledgement letter from Vadra the next day reconfirming the amount and thanking him for the purchase.

Times Now later quoted individuals close to Deora calling it an “unnecessary controversy” and insisted that there is no quid pro quo in the matter.

The transaction is now reportedly being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and it has been alleged that the painting was actually owned by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) instead of Vadra.