India
‘Can there be a bigger cash machine for the BJP than electoral bonds?’: Congress hits back at PM Modi’s joke – Times of India
Udit Raj and PM Modi (R) (file photo)
Raj was responding to PM Modi’s statements at an election rally in Akola in Maharashtra, where PM Modi alleged that states like Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, ruled by the grand old party, are being financially exploited by the party and the Gandhi family.
In his statement to ANI, Raj accused the BJP of treating citizens as a financial resource, specifically referring to the 2016 demonetisation.
“They announced the BJP’s ATM to the public of the country on November 8, 2016. Can there be a bigger cash machine for the BJP than electoral bonds? Banks are being looted. About Rs 25 Lakhs of loan waiver is also their ATM. So is Adani Ambani. their two largest ATMs Can they prove what they said about Karnataka? he said.
The Congress leader also argued that even though there is evidence of “thousands of scams” under Prime Minister Modi, government agencies have not initiated investigations. “As long as the BJP is in power, the agencies will not take this over,” he added.
PM Modi, during the meeting in Akola, criticized the grand old party and alleged, “Wherever Congress forms a government, that state becomes an ATM for the Congress royal family.” He alleged that liquor sellers in Karnataka were forced to pay around Rs 700 crore to fund Congress’s election efforts in Maharashtra, warning that corruption could worsen if Congress wins.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa backed PM Modi’s comments and also accused the Congress of “looting” Karnataka and diverting money to the Maharashtra elections.
“What the Prime Minister said is 100 percent correct. They looted here and sent the amount for the Maharashtra elections,” Yediyurappa said.
