Rahul targets PM over corruption, Why no action against Shivraj?

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jul 09 2015 | 8:28 PM IST
Reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his poll promise to end corruption, Rahul Gandhi today asked why is he not taking action against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is embroiled in the massive admission and recruitment scam.
Throwing a barb at the prime minister, the Congress vice president said he had just one question.
"I have just one question. Mr Prime Minister, what you say must carry weight.
"From what the people of India and I remember, our PM had said, which I would like to reiterate, 'na khaoonga, na khane doonga' (will not engage in corruption myself, nor allow others). Why are you allowing corruption in Rajasthan? What are you doing to bring back Lalit Modi? Why are you not acting against Shivraj Singh Chouhan," he said in brief remarks here.
Congress has been slamming Modi for not sacking Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje following revelations that she helped "fugitive" former IPL boss Lalit Modi. The party has also accused "bada Modi" (PM) of shielding "chhota Modi" (Lalit).
"Of course," Rahul said when asked whether the beleaguered MP Chief Minister should quit in the wake of the Supreme Court ordering a CBI inquiry into the Vyapam scam.
Rahul's jibe invited sharp retort from BJP which reminded him of his "silence" over scams exposed during the UPA dispensation and said unlike Congress its government had gone for a CBI probe.
"Unlike Congress and Rahul Gandhi, we are not hushing up corruption cases and nor are we searching for ways to escape from courts' scrutiny. BJP leaders have gone to the High Court and Supreme Court, seeking a CBI probe. When Congress was indulging in scams, then Gandhi was silent," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.
Congress has been demanding resignations of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Raje for helping Lalit Modi and that of HRD Minister Smriti Irani for misrepresenting facts about her educational qualifications, and Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde for her alleged involvement in a "scam" by clearing purchases worth Rs 206 crore on a single day without inviting tenders in violation of the norms.
It is also seeking resignation of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh in the wake of a "rice scam" in which Rs 36,000 crore are alleged to have been misappropriated.
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First Published: Jul 09 2015 | 8:28 PM IST

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