Those involved in corruption in Bellary will not be spared: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi today took on BJP 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 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 here 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 UPA government passed 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 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 BJP and opposition parties stalled it. But we will pass it, when we come back to power," he said.

Hitting out at Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi accused him of ignoring corruption in BJP ruled states but talking about graft travelling all across the country.

Seeking to puncture BJP's anti-corruption plank, Gandhi, without naming Modi said, "He is travelling across the country and speaking about corruption. He doesn't see Yeddyurappa, who as Chief Minister had spent some time in jail. He doesn't remember that, but goes around the country and talks about corruption."

Gandhi said, "He (Modi) talks about corruption and says his party is against it, but when he is holding meeting in Karnataka one finds Yeddyurappa standing next to him."

Likewise, the Congress Vice-President said Modi doesn't see corruption in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, both ruled by BJP, but talks against corruption.

Bellary has a special significance for Gandhi as his mother Sonia Gandhi had made her Parliamentary debut from here, defeating BJP's Sushma Swaraj in the famous 1999 battle.

Rahul Gandhi said people used to think the previous BJP Government in Karnataka was run from Bellary, an obvious reference to the Reddy brothers-- Janardhana and Karunakara-- who as mining barons were then accused of having a tight grip over the state government.

"The ministers who were with the BJP ... what they did with your money, you all know. And the iron ore available here should have benefited you, but was looted," he said.

He said "after coming to power, everybody knows what the BJP did in its five years of rule. People know how they looted Bellary and how they worked."