Prove charges and I'll go to jail, says Rahul

A combative Rahul Gandhi on Thursday challenged the government to probe allegations by “RSS and BJP cronies” against him and send him to jail if they could prove them.

“I am not scared of Modiji. I am ready to go to jail. But the Prime Minister should stop his cronies from hurling garbage at me and my family,” Rahul said addressing the national convention of the Indian Youth Congress coinciding with late prime minister Indira Gandhi’s 98th birth anniversary.

The response comes in the wake of documents released by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy showing Rahul Gandhi listing himself as a British citizen to set up a company in Britain.

 “I want to say this Modiji, it is your government. You have all the agencies at your disposal. Set them after me. Show your 56-inch chest. Launch an investigation against me and if you find anything in six months put me in jail,” the Congress vice-president said in the presence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and senior party leaders.

Rahul vowed to fight Modi’s policies that do not benefit the poor. He said he had seen the RSS and BJP throwing allegations against his family –“my grandmother, my father, my mother.” His challenge drew instant response from the BJP with its chief spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain saying enquiries are on against Robert Vadra (Gandhi’s brother-in-law).

“Rahul Gandhi does not need to challenge us on initiating inquiries, they are on,” Hussain said. “Vadra has many investigations against him.”

Rahul carried on attacking the RSS-BJP in his 30 minute speech, accusing them of engineering a social division.

Comparing RSS with the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, Rahul said their actions bring disrepute to the country.

Signalling he was on the job of reorganising the party, Rahul said the new team will be a blend of youth and experience.

Pointing out to senior leaders Motilal Vora, Ghulam Nabi Azad, C P Joshi, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot who were seated on the dais, Rahul urged the Youth Congress workers to benefit from their knowledge and wisdom.

“My job is to bring their experience and your youthful energy together,” he said amid loud cheers that continued for several minutes and drowned out the closing remarks of party president Sonia Gandhi.