You won't say your CM went to jail, Rahul Gandhi mocks BJP

    MANDYA/HASSAN/BELGAUM: AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took the BJP government in Karnataka head-on over corruption, saying it was silent about its chief minister having gone to jail on corruption charges. "The BJP people talk about corruption. Yesterday in Parliament, they spoke about corruption. But they will not talk about Karnataka. They won't mention corruption in Karnataka. They will not say a chief minister went to jail. They will not say Reddy brothers who they sold the entire state to... they talk about corruption," he said. In his final lap of the campaign, Rahul said Karnataka has lost its shine and glory under the BJP rule. Addressing public rallies in the Vokkaliga heartland of Mandya and Hassan and later in Belgaum, Rahul criticized the BJP for its dual stand on corruption. The BJP leaders "who have built" the Reddy brothers, "who have taken their money" and "who are responsible for corruption" in Karnataka go to the rest of the country and talk about corruption, he said. The resources were supposed to be used to build a future for the youth of the state but had been misused for furthering the interests of a single family. It was a shame that rich iron ore deposited in Karnataka had been mortgaged to the Reddy brothers and was exported to China. The BJP government deceived thousands of unemployed youths, who, otherwise would have got jobs in iron and steel factories, if they were set up here," he said. Former Union minister S M Krishna, who turned 81 today and had stayed away from campaigning in Mandya assembly constituency contested by actor M H Ambareesh, shared the dais with the latter's wife Sumalatha. In Hassan and Belgaum , Rahul attacked the BJP for failing to deliver even basic amenities. Soon after landing in Hassan, Rahul went to the washroom to wash his hands. The taps were dry. "Look, there is not even water. This shows how BJP has failed in delivering even basic facilities," he told the party workers. He started his 11-minute speech in Hindi quoting the incident. What is the role of the government?'' he asked the audience and said It is to extend basic facilities and improve the quality of life.'' "Abhi yahan pe mein haat dhone gaya aur nal mei paani nahi hai (I wanted to wash my hands, but the tap is dry),'' he said. Hassan deputy commissioner K P Mohan Raj told TOI they had made elaborate arrangements for the VIP's visit and denied Rahul having faced such a situation. SP Amit Singh said he has no idea about the incident. According to Rahul, the Centre has released funds for drought management, which has not reached the needy. "Governments should be people-oriented. Here in Karnataka, we had a CM who went to jail. BJP is the champion when it comes to looting," he said. For the first time in history, a Chief Minister had gone to jail. The BJP will talk about corruption...but they will not talk about Karnataka.   Source: TOI