BJP tells Congress to introspect on graft,remember Indira faux pas

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had defended Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and alleged that the Opposition was uduly critical of the government.

“The almost reckless criticism of the Opposition for articulating the inefficiencies and corruption of this government is truly surprising,” Prasad said,adding that this was in spite of over 40 Congress leaders conveying their “deep concern” at the conclave on price rise and rampant corruption had dented the government’s image.

BJP charged that both Sonia Gandhi and Singh have tried to run away from this “stark reality”.

“To live in chronic denial is the DNA of Congress. It tries to run away from reality,” Prasad said.

He also rubbished allegations of “conspiracy theories” being at work against the Congress.

“Congress should remember that this always fails. During the JP movement in the 1970s,Indira Gandhi and Deokant Barua (then Congress President) alleged that JP is a leader of a group of conspirators. Then in 1987-88,during Bofors they said conspiracy theories. And now again. This is the India of 2012,a changed India,” Prasad said.

BJP wondered how Sonia Gandhi had defended Singh at the CWC meeting when some of the worst scams ever have taken place during his rule.

On the Coalgate scam,the party said a CBI probe was not ordered by the BJP but by the CVC which found it appropriate that the coal allocations should be investigated. BJP MPs Hansraj Ahir and Prakash Javadekar had only raised the issue. BJP pointed out that Singh has held the coal portfolio for most of the time that UPA has been in power since 2004.

“On October 15,2004 a decision was taken that coal allocation will be through competitive bidding. In 2005,a Cabinet note was also prepared on this but still no action was taken. On July 26,2010 the Bill related to this was passed. It has been two years since the Act was passed,” Prasad said.

BJP insisted that it was right in demanding from the CVC that a probe be ordered as most of the coal block allocations have been done when Singh held the portofolio.

“Why should the Prime Minister not be investigated… Sorry to say Soniaji,but you have not done your homework well,” Prasad said.

Taking further digs at the Congress-led government,the BJP said scams caused by A Raja (2G spectrum),Suresh Kalmadi (Commonwealth Games),and Sheila Dikshit (also CWG) were not committed at the behest of the BJP.

“Sonia Gandhi,you have objection to the Prime Minister being accused by the Opposition. If he took no action against those involved in these scams,do you think we should felicitate him… As somebody said Congress indulges in corruption with all sincerity,” Prasad said.