Guwahati: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on his second visit to poll-bound Meghalaya, launched a frontal attack on the BJP-led Centre and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “an instrument of corruption”. Mr Gandhi, now on a two-day campaign visit to the northeastern state, made the remarks after a roadshow in Shillong.
Referring to the Rs 11,400-crore Punjab National Bank scam involving billionaire diamond merchants Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, Mr Gandhi told reporters: “Narendra Modi is not against corruption, he is an instrument of corruption.”
Later, addressing a public rally in Shillong, the Congress president said: “Just because the BJP can buy a few MLAs, including Congress MLAs, you cannot buy the Church. You cannot take away our music just because you like Mohan Bhagwat or Modi’s songs.”
Mr Gandhi, in another public rally, attacked Mr Modi over his silence on the PNB fraud and the Rafale deal, saying sarcastically that he looked forward to his “sermon” on these issues in his “Mann ki Baat” programme. Mr Gandhi also labelled the Prime Minister’s programme aired on All India Radio as a “monologue”, and said the country wanted to hear him speak on billionaire diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and the Rafale “scam”.
While campaigning for his party in Meghalaya, Mr Gandhi also tweeted: “Modiji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your Mann Ki Baat monologue. Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about? — 1. Nirav Modi’s 22,000 Crore Loot and Scoot... 2. The 58,000 Crore RAFALE scam... I look forward to your sermon.”
Mr Gandhi also called for a “BJP-mukt” Meghalaya. Attacking the saffron party in his rallies, Mr Gandhi said: “This election is very crucial not just for the people of Meghalaya but the nation as a whole, because the entire country is watching where Meghalaya will go. A BJP victory will encourage the RSS and the BJP to further fragment society. It is time to seriously ponder. The decision of Meghalaya will have an impact all over India.”
Accusing the BJP of dividing society, communities and religion to further its agenda dictated from the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Mr Gandhi said: “Narendra Modi (PM) speaks about vikas (development), but where is it? Look at all the states ruled by the BJP, there is no vikas, no proper education and no healthcare. They are only instigating one community and religion against each other.”
The Congress president went on: “In Meghalaya, MLAs are being lured with money by the BJP. From where are they getting such money to spend? It belongs to the common man, which has been stolen by people like Nirav Modi. The Prime Minister had told the nation he would be a watchman for the people of the country, and yet he couldn’t prevent the theft of their hard earned money.”
He accused the Modi government of making Aadhaar mandatory for bank accounts and registration of mobile SIM cards in order to intensify surveillance on the citizens of the country.
“Modi started Swachchh Bharat but failed to clean India. He came up with the ‘Make in India’ project but manufacturing continues to take place in countries like China, Malaysia, Vietnam and other nations. Where is the success story?” said the Congress president, who also reminded people of the hardship they faced during the demonetisation of currency.
The Congress president also described the National People’s Party (NPP) led by Conrad Sangma as the “B” team of the BJP. “The BJP is using the NPP to enter Meghalaya just like they did in Manipur. The BJP agenda is to destroy the culture of Meghalaya and impose their own from Nagpur. But the people of the state are intelligent and will not allow them. We will stand with you. Do not be afraid to tell them in the face about their hidden agenda,” said Mr Gandhi, lauding the Church in Meghalaya for turning down the Centre’s financial package to them in the name of tourism.
The Congress president, who addressed a public meeting at Jowai in West Jaintia Hills on Wednesday, also took part in a roadshow in Shillong to woo the electorates. A large number of youths joined Mr Gandhi during his roadshow.
Meanwhile, the ruling Congress Party has strongly objected to the BJP advertisement against Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma. It sought action against the BJP for publishing a defamatory advertisement.
The BJP had published an advertisement in local dailies showing Mukul Sangma’s photographs with a caption that read “15 years of Congress rule: Mass exodus of youth from the state for lack of job opportunities. BJP promises: Provide one job opportunity for every youth”.
