Rahul seeks Modi reply on PNB scam
Congress president Rahul Gandhi with senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge at a rally in Athani, Belagavi district, on Saturday. DH Photo/M S Manjunath
Invoking 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, Rahul asked Modi how Nirav Modi could take away Rs 11,400 crore from the country from right under his nose.
Addressing a huge rally at Athani, Rahul said: "Basava said don't steal. But Nirav Modi (billionaire jeweller) ran away with Rs 11,000 crore...Action will be taken?...You first make us understand how did Nirav Modi take money away right under your nose. How can the finance ministry allow it?"
The rally is part of the second leg of the Congress's 'Janaashirvaada Yatra'.
The Congress president charged Modi with failing to keep his promise of creating 2 crore jobs every year and bringing back black money.
"Modi had made promises about employment and bringing back black money. Now, remember Basavanna's words of 'nudidante nade' (walk the talk). Did Modi fulfil any of his promises? Then what is the meaning of taking Basavanna's name?" Rahul asked.
Rahul's move to invoke Basavanna in his speech is seen as an attempt to woo the Lingayat community, which forms a sizable chunk of the population in the Bombay-Karnataka region.
