Congress demands that Kerala floods be declared national calamity
New Delhi, In an effort to step up its attack on the Narendra Modi government, the Congress on Saturday decided to launch a nationwide movement to expose the Centre’s corruption scandals, especially the alleged irregularites in the deal for Rafale fighter jets.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the CLP leaders, PCC Presidents as also General Secretaries of AICC and In-charges of the State under the leadership of Hon’ble Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, AICC media incharge Randeep Surjewala said,’’the meeting discussed in detail the corruption scams of the Modi Governemt, especially the Rafale scam .
The manner and the fashion in which ‘Bhrashtachar Ka Khel Rafale’ has unveiled before this country wherein loss of over Rs. 41,000 crore has been made to the public exchequer; a company belonging to a friend of the Prime Minister has been given a contract worth Rs. 30,000 crore after snatching it from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – Public Company – were all discussed.
It was decided that the corruption scams of Modi Government particularly the Rafale scam will be taken to the people of the country.
In the next 30 days, Congress workers will fan out and organise District level demonstrations and State level demonstrations.
Members of the CWC, General Secretaries and In-charges of the AICC, Secretaries of the AICC and all others will go to every level from District, Block to State level and ensure that a fair probe and independent probe, a thorough probe and a JPC into the Rafale scam is constituted by the Government immediately.
We will push the Government. We will not stop and will not be deterred and will continue to push for ensuring that the Rafale scam and corruption scams are exposed.’’
The meeting also expressed concern over the floods in various parts of the country and demanded that the Kerala floods be declared a national calamity.
The meeting , noting that there has been a damage worth 2000-3000 crores in the Kerala floods, said that the financial relief granted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the state was ‘insufficient’.
’’Mr Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party have demanded that Kerala flood should be declared a national calamity and the Modi Government should come forward to help the people of Kerala, where nearly 182 people have died and there has been a loss of Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3000 crore.
We also noted with concern the grave situation arising out of floods in Karnataka and also the rest of the country. In the entire country 324 people have lost their lives besides a lot of loss to property and other things,’’he said.
Mr Surjewala said that at the meeting, it was decided that all the Congress Governments will come forward to help the people of Kerala in this hour of tragedy.
Punjab Government has already donated Rs. 10 crore towards Kerala Relief Fund. Our Congress Government and JD (U) Government of Karnataka has also donated Rs. 10 crore to Kerala Relief measures.
‘’The Government in Puducherry has also donated Rs. 1 crore. It was also decided by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and all others that all Congress MPs – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – all Congress MLAs across India, also all Congress MLCs will donate one month salary, which will be sent through the AICC for relief measures in Kerala.
It was also decided to constitute Special Relief Committee in the adjoining State of Karnataka, adjoining State of Tamil Nadu, adjoining State of Puducherry and others, wherein all material possible will be collected by Congress workers and will be sent to people of Kerala,’’he said.
The Congress leaders said that PM Modi should stop discriminating in disbursing flood relief between BJP and non-BJP Governments. ‘’We believe Modi Ji should stop discriminating in matters of flood relief between BJP and non-BJP Governments. Only mere Rs. 100 crore has been given to people of Kerala, while there is absolute devastation.
It is time that PM Modi must rise above political partisan game and come forward as a nation to help people of Kerala, people of Karnataka and other States affected by the flood and declare Kerala floods as a national calamity,’’Mr Surjewala said.
