Paul feels danger to life from Sonia - Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Hyderabad: In a sensational allegation, well-known evangelist Dr K A Paul today said he apprehended danger to his life from Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The President of Global Peace Initiative, based in the USA, claimed that Sonia Gandhi was out to take "revenge against me under the instructions of (American President) Bush and (Secretary of State) Rice"

Paul, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, alleged that Sonia Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajasekhar Reddy had been "nursing a grudge" against him and "destroying" his ministry by imposing curbs on the activities of his organisation in the country.

Addressing a press conference here, the self-made preacher, who became internationally known for rubbing shoulders with several presidents and prime ministers, charged that Bush, with whom he apparently fell out after the Iraq war, instructed Sonia to cut off all help to his activities in the country.

He also alleged that Reddy was against him because he had refused to give $ 5 million party fund sought by Y S Rajasekhar Reddy in December 2003 when he was the opposition leader.

The Chief Minister, however, refuted the charges and said there appeared an "ulterior motive" behind the allegations.

Paul alleged that he was approached by Congress leader B.Satyanarayana, who is now the marketing minister, on December 9, 2003 for donation to the Congress fund on behalf of Rajasekhar Reddy.

"My refusal to accede to their request did not go well with them. I am opening up now after more than three years because there is a threat to my life. My charity activity is sought to be banned in India," he alleged.

Paul said he had enough evidence to prove the complicity of the Congress government in hurting his evangelical activities, which he would prove in a court of law.

The Chief Minister recalled that Paul had once invited him to visit an orphanage being run by his brother at Sadasivapet on the city outskirts. He said he visited the centre along with his family members, where Paul requested him to invite Sonia to the orphanage. Sonia, however, did not show any interest in visiting the organisation. I do not know why Paul is raising such wild allegations after three years, Reddy wondered.

The Chief Minister also took a dig at Paul saying he was known to be closely associated with TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Meanwhile, the opposition TDP demanded judicial probe into the charges and sought police protection for Paul.

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070609/nation.htm#6

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