Describing the Congress as a “kidnapper” of India’s future, money and development, the BJP on Tuesday sharply reacted to the Opposition party’s digs at the Government over black money and Panama Papers leak issues and suggested that the Congress leaders should be asking their leader Sonia Gandhi about the whereabouts of the illicit money .
“Congress leaders keep asking us every evening where is our Rs 15 lakhIJ let me answer them. This is like the story of kidnappers who after abduction come back to see what police is doing so that they can change their tactic,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
He said BJP MPs have made statements saying they have no black money but Congress members, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, did not.
“Congress is the kidnapper who has abducted India’s future, money, development and prosperity. And every evening it asks us where is our money, development and prosperity... Don’t ask us, ask respected Sonia ji. If the almirah is opened, then all the money is inside,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
The BJP congratulates the Modi Government for ordering a multi-agency probe into Panama Paper leaks, Patra said.
He, however, declined to respond to Congress’ criticism of the Government over Pakistani media reports quoting JIT sources that the Pathankot terror attack was a drama staged by India.
The BJP spokesperson praised the ‘Stand Up India’ project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and used it to take a dig at the UPA Government.
“There used to be a government which would give to those who did not deserve it. It would give bad loans causing NPA. ‘Stand Up India’ opens the coffers for the SC, ST and women. These are the people who will take the country forward,” he said.
He also sought to corner West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the flyover collapse in Kolkata, claiming that the Railway Ministry under her stewardship had awarded a contract in 2011 to the same firm which is facing a probe in connection with the incident.
Noting that Banerjee had blamed the previous left Front Government in the State for awarding the flyover contract to the private firm, Patra questioned her over awarding railway contract to IVRCl in 2011 and also raked up a sting operation to accuse her of destroying the State.
“You awarded this contract in 2011 to the same company IVRCl and how conveniently that you go to the site when the bridge collapse and say it is not me or my Government. Mamataji you will have to answer. You people gave contract to the same blacklisted company,” he said.
The contract of over Rs 761 crore for building a tunnel connecting Kashmir and Jammu regions was given by her before she quit as the Railway Minister to become the State Chief Minister in May, 2011 and the Ministry was given to another Trinamool Congress leader, he said.
Patra sought to underline the TMC Government’s “bias” towards the firm and demanded that the CM reply.
Referring to a sting operation, he said the Kolkata Mayor, who is also from TMC, claimed that construction material for projects come from a “syndicate” of party leaders and supporters. It is such action that led to the collapse of the flyover, Patra alleged.