Sonia in Shimla,slams BJP ‘double-speak’ on corruption

Gandhi was addressing an election rally at the Ridge Ground here. Without naming BJP president Nitin Gadkari,who is currently in the eye of a political storm over the funding of companies associated with him,Gandhi said it was only the Congress and the UPA government which had taken legal action and fought corruption unlike any other political party. “I want to ask the BJP whether it has taken action against its own leaders who are accused of corruption? They (the BJP) owe an explanation to the public why no action has been taken. In fact,the BJP is not against corruption but against the Congress,” she said.

Gandhi who reached Himachal Pradesh on the second leg of the Congress campaign,addressed two rallies,one here and the other in Kangra.

Backing FDI in retail,she said the move would help the hill state known for its horticulture products,especially apples. “It is especially beneficial for farmers in Himachal as shortage of cold storages will be over and produce of farmers will not rot,” she said.

Accusing the BJP of playing politics on the FDI issue,she said the chief ministers were free to implement or not allow FDI in retail but the BJP was unnecessarily making an issue out of it.

Gandhi claimed credit for bringing the Right to Information (RTI) Act,“which has proved an effective tool against corruption”.

She also referred to the Lokpal Bill and alleged that the BJP stalled the passing of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha even though the Lok Sabha had already voted the Bill.

After the speech,she walked a short distance to mix with the crowd and later took a drive through the Mall to cheer up Congress supporters.