Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday took on the Bharatiya Janata Party in mineral-rich Bellary hit by the mining scam, saying those involved in corruption in the area will not be spared and vowed to end all kinds of irregularity in the region.
"We will take strong action against the people in the BJP who were involved in corruption in Bellary. Bellary's wealth will come to your hand and quickly Bellary will benefit from it," he told a rally which was attended by senior leaders from Congress-ruled Karnataka.
"Those corrupt people who are in jail and corrupt practices will not be seen again. We will run a government committed to social justice," Gandhi said without naming the Reddy brothers who were allegedly involved in the mining scam in collusion with the previous BJP government.
His statement assumes significance as senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj had openly expressed her dissent over giving party ticket to B Sriramulu, a controversial confidante of G Janardhana Reddy who is allegedly involved in the Bellary mining scam. Reaching out to the people in an area dominated by backward classes, the Congress Vice President said the wealth generated from the region will be utilised for construction of schools, colleges and hospitals.
He recalled his family's old association with the region from where both Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have fought Lok Sabha battles and said that Karnataka will benefit from the upcoming industrial corridor project and will be witness to a manufacturing revolution.
Underscoring Congress' resolve to root out corruption, Gandhi said despite opposition's resistance, the United Progressive alliance government passed the Lokpal Bill and stressed the party's commitment to pass the five remaining anti-graft legislations which remain stalled in Parliament. Espousing the cause of women, he said the Congress has reserved 50 per cent seats for them in local bodies and was committed to providing 33 per cent reservation in state legislatures and Lok Sabha.
"Last time we tried to pass it, but the BJP and opposition parties stalled it. But we will pass it, when we come back to power," he said.
