Modi shielding corrupt BJP leaders: Congress on Azad's suspension

Congress tonight said that the suspension of Kirti Azad from the BJP was nothing but a manifestation of "Corruptionphilia" and its leaders charged with corruption have got impunity from Prime Minister Nerendra Modi.

"The suspension of Shri Kirti Azad from the BJP is nothing but a manifestation of the Corruptionphilia that grips the BJP," said Randeep Surjewala, the party's chief spokesman.

He alleged that it reflects the way BJP functions.

"It is yet another statement on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and Amit Shah's style of functioning that is nothing but 'My way or high way'."

The Congress leader alleged that corrupt leaders of the party had got immunity from the Prime Minister.

"While people charged with corruption, be it finance minister Jaitley in DDCA scam, Sushma Swaraj in Modi Gate scandal, Vasundhara Raje in Modi Gate and mining scam, Shivraj Singh Chauhan in DMAT and Vyapam scam and Raman Singh in PDS/NAN ghotala are sheltered by the Prime Minister's immunity, complainants against corruption are suspended.

"Is this what probity and accountability in public life is all about?" Surjewala asked.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh took a dig at the BJP over the issue and asked whether Shatrughan Sinha would be next on the firing line.

"Kirti Azad suspended by BJP. His crime? Raised issue of corruption in DDCA with facts.

"Is this going to be the fate of all those in the BJP who raise issue of corruption? First Ram Jethmalani and now Kirti. Next Shatrughan Sinha?" Singh said on Twitter.

Congress spokesman Gaurav Gogoi also tweeted: "Where is zero tolerance against corruption? PM Modi protecting the accused - first Vyapam, then Lalit Modi, then PDS scam. Now DDCA scam #KirtiAzad".

BJP today suspended Azad, who has been leading a campaign against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on alleged corruption in DDCA, charging him with anti-party activities and accusing him of "colluding" with Congress and AAP to bring it into "disrepute".

The action of the BJP Parliamentary Board to suspend him from the party's primary membership with immediate effect came three days after his press conference attacking Jaitley and subsequent acts of defiance both inside and outside Parliament.