Rahul attacks BJP, says it created world record in corruption

Image
Press Trust of India Haveri/Tumkur (Karn)
Last Updated : Apr 26 2013 | 7:05 PM IST
Raising the pitch against the ruling BJP, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today accused it of having created "a world record" in corruption and said there was no functional government in Karnataka.
In his rallies at Haveri, Tumkur and Mysore, Gandhi on the second leg of his tour for the May five Assembly polls, said the BJP was more preoccupied with internal squabbles and its leaders fought among themselves for money.
"On the issue of corruption, Karnataka government has created a world record," he said, stepping up the offensive he launched against BJP in his first leg of tour on April 23.
Accusing the BJP of "looting" public money, he said "Congress kahti hai, aapka paisa aapke haath aur BJP kahti hai aapka paisa hamare paas" (Congress says your money, your hands and BJP says your money, with us)
The BJP forgot about people's welfare, Gandhi said and posed to the gathering, "Do you want such a government?"
Seeking to take the sting out of the BJP's attack on the UPA on the issue of graft at the Centre, Gandhi asked, "did not corruption in the state come to their attention."
The Congress leader also spoke about the "Bellary brothers", apparently alluding to the Reddy brothers-- mining barons Janardhana and Karunakara--and said BJP came to power in the 2008 Assembly polls on the basis of their money.
They (Reddy brothers) exploited iron ore resources and exported it to China, enriching themselves, thereby becoming influential, he said, adding, "It was the Bellary government, not BJP government."
He said Bangalore was a world brand due to IT sector but the last eight to nine years of rule by BJP-JDS coalition and subsequently by BJP had seen it lose its status.
Castigating the BJP for its lack of governance, he said, "Karnataka has everything. Only there is no government".
Gandhi also said being corruption-free is a pre-requisite to be in Congress. "We have said that if you are in Congress, you have to be clean and corruption free or you have no room in Congress", he said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 26 2013 | 7:05 PM IST

Next Story