NEW DELHI:Days after former Union Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan lashed out at the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, for allegedly interfering in giving policy clearances, the Congress vice-president on Wednesday gave a fresh twist to the controversy saying “Jayanti had been pitted against me by Prime Minister Narendra Modi” as he had been fighting for the poor and other weaker sections of society.
Rahul chose a public platform to air his views as Jayanti’s outburst against the Congress in the run-up to Saturday’s Delhi Assembly elections had greatly embarrassed the party. Addressing a rally a Jahangirpuri here -- an area comprising resettlement colonies -- the Congress vice-president said, “One day, I said something about Modi, the very next day, he pitted Jayanti against me.”
“I want to tell you that I have fought for the poor and the adivasis and I had told Jayanthi that we should take care of the environment, ensure the welfare of poor and the adivasis. I will continue to fight for the poor and the weaker sections,” Rahul said, trying to deflect the criticism of the UPA Government over withholding clearances to the projects.
Interestingly, Rahul did not deny Jayanti’s allegations. Instead he tried to paint his alleged interference as interventions on behalf of the poor. It was perhaps for the first time in recent times that Rahul has himself responded to the attack on him. Earlier, it was left for the Congress spokespersons to articulate the party’s position. He again alleged that the Prime Minister was working only to benefit his “industrial friends. “ Modi Government is working only for only four-five industrialists,” he said.
Launching a scathing attack on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, he said, “He told you that Delhi is dirty and clean it. He did not give you job, did not lessen your suffering but put a broom in your hand.” Rahul also said the entire country was being run through the PMO and “Modi thinks that he alone can change India”.
Rahul also targeted AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and accused him of ‘selling big dreams’ and not fulfilling promises. He accused the AAP as “an agent of the BJP” and said that they did nothing in the 49 days when they were in power. “The Congress had supported the AAP last time to form a government in Delhi but they ran away,” he said.
He also questioned Kejriwal’s about dharnas. “He is not organising dharnas over the incidents of rape and corruption now when the BJP rules the Centre. When the Congress had its government here, the AAP had sat on dharna. Anna Hazare had come and sat on dharna. There was an incident of rape. They held demonstrations. Rapes are still happening. Incidents of rape have risen by 30 per cent. Why did the AAP not organise a dharna. Is is because the BJP is in power,” he asked.
He also raised questions over AAP candidates with criminal records. “Around 30 of them have criminal record.”
Modi’s Rs 10-L Suit Made in UK: Rahul
Rahul Gandhi mocked at Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, saying that the Rs 10-lakh suit he wore during US President Barack Obama’s visit was ‘Made in UK’. “Modiji talked of Make in India. Crores of rupees were spent in marketing this Make in India. He wears a Rs 10-lakh suit. Newspapers report that this is not Make in India. That too is Made in UK,” said Rahul.