Smriti Irani takes dig at Rahul Gandhi's PM wish after 2019 polls
Shillong, May 29: Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday pooh-poohed Congress President Rahul Gandhi's statement that he was ready to be the Prime Minister in case the Congress emerged as the single largest party after the 2019 general elections.
"I do politics in the area where Rahul Gandhi also does politics. In Amethi, he has lost every Assembly and local election in four years. How can a person not guaranteed to get re-elected in his own constituency have chances of returning to power in the country," she told journalists in the Meghalaya capital.
"People in Amethi are not happy and he is talking of development in different parts of the country. It was during our tenure that Passport Office, Chief Medical Officer's office and District Collector's office in Amethi were inaugurated, while the Congress did nothing in its own bastion. How can he talk of development in the country?" the Bharatiya Janata Party leader added.
Noting that the earlier United Progressive Alliance government left behind a legacy of apathy, she said: "This is a 48-year-old legacy of apathy of one family versus 48 months of good governance under (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi," Irani said.
"I would like to remind you that when we came to power and got the opportunity to serve the people, the economic condition of the country was poor. The government had to address the financial challenges in every sector, especially pertaining to the scams and debts incurred under the UPA rule," she said.
Evading a direct reply to queries on fuel price hike and black money, Irani assured the people that her colleagues in the government and party President Amit Shah would offer a "time-bound solution" to the issues soon.
On Congress claims that the NDA government was inaugurating projects in the northeast which were initiated in the UPA rule, the Union Minister pointed out that the NITI Aayog, Mudra loans and the Jan Dhan Yojana were initiated by the current dispensation.
A NITI forum for the northeast was formed and its first meeting was held on May 10.
"The northeast is an area of prime focus as the Prime Minister has given a clarion call for its all-round development. A forum had been set up under the NITI Aayog to work to this end...," the Minister said.
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Congress using COVID-19 probe as weapon against BJP: MP K Sudhakar
Chikkaballapura (Karnataka), Nov 15: BJP MP K Sudhakar on Friday accused the Congress government of using the investigation into COVID-19 management during the BJP regime as a "political tool" against his party.
The Congress government, based on the recommendation of Justice John Michael D’Cunha, has initiated an investigation into alleged irregularities in COVID-19 management under the BJP’s administration.
“Let them investigate. They have turned investigations into weapons against us. We are ready for any probe. We worked with conscience and saved lives during COVID-19, while Congress leaders stayed indoors,” Sudhakar told reporters.
He defended the previous BJP government’s handling of the pandemic, highlighting the risks taken by officials and health department employees during the crisis.
Sudhakar criticised the Congress for altering the scope of the investigation, noting that the D’Cunha Commission had only submitted an interim report.
“The investigation is incomplete. Based on a preliminary inquiry report, a cabinet sub-committee led by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar was formed. Within a month, they have also ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT),” he said.
Responding to Congress allegations that the BJP government purchased PPE kits at Rs 2,100 each from China and Hong Kong instead of locally available kits priced at Rs 330, Sudhakar questioned the availability of PPE kits at the time.
“Where were the PPE kits? The then Chief Minister Yediyurappa and Health Minister Sriramulu procured them through discussions with the Centre and imports from China,” he said.
Sudhakar dismissed the Congress’s claims as "politically motivated", and alleged that the party aims to "tarnish" BJP leaders’ reputations.
“The Congress wants to portray BJP leaders as villains, but this will not benefit them. The wheel of time keeps turning, and we will see where they stand when it does,” he remarked.
