elevationNew Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) The BJP today dubbed the Congressas a "corrupt thought process" as it shrugged off RahulGandhi's elevation as its president, saying its working styleand "corrupt ways" remained the same.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra launched a sharp attack onthe Congress after Gandhi attacked the ruling party soon afterreplacing her mother Sonia Gandhi as its president.
Patra cited the sentencing of former Jharkhand ChiefMinister Madhu Koda, who was supported by the Congress, in acorruption case to hit out at the party, claiming it wouldremain corrupt despite the change in leadership.
He said it was an irony that despite the Congress notbeing in power for four years, corruption cases were stilltumbling out and people jailed for corruption they did when itwas in power.
"This speaks volumes about the thought process, theworking nature of Congress party. So a new president or an oldpresident, the working style of Congress party, the corruptways of Congress party still remain the same," he toldreporters.
He said when the Congress talks about a change inleadership, the country is seeing how during its 10-year rule,corruption of ten to fourteen lakh crore rupees took placeunder their very nose.
"Congress is not an ancient thought process as claimed bya few, rather Congress is a corrupt thought process and thathas been proved by the judicial process today," Patra added.
After assuming the leadership of the party, Rahul Gandhiaccused the BJP of spreading hatred and alleged that PrimeMinister Narendra Modi was taking India back to medievaltimes.
"The BJP is spreading hatred and communalism... theybreak, while we unite. They ignite fire, we douse it," Gandhisaid.
Asked about the 'Aag laga ke' (ignite fire) comment,Patra said this is "not a decent way" to react.
"Elections are won not because of riots on streets, notbecause 'sadak pe aag laga ke'. Elections are won because themantra of reform, transform and perform works in the countryunder the able leadership of Narendra Modi," he said.
He went on to add that elections are won as peoplecompare how during the UPA days, the direct benefit transfer(DBT) was not there and the money could not reach the pocketsof poor man.
"Today because of DBT, what the poor man deserves,reaches his pocket. Elections are won by giving LPG cylindersto the last man standing in the queue, when electricityreaches every village.
"So my simple request is we should not demean the basicnature of democracy in the country. Democracy is vibrant inthe country because development is taking place as neverbefore," he added.
Patra said that today is an important day as Madhu Koda,who was the chief minister of Jharkhand with the support ofCongress party, has been sentenced to three years in jailbecause of his involvement in the coal scam.
"We all know that Madhu Koda was an Independent MLA, butbecause of the fact that the government was formed with theoutside support of the Congress party, the government then wasalmost a Congress government run by 10 Janpath, 24 Akbar Roadby the help of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel," hesaid. PTI CSN TDS KRSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.