'Belagavi session held by duplicate Congress, party akin to 'Ali Baba and 40 members': Kumaraswamy's dig at grand old party

'Gandhi fought for independence. But there was no photo of him in newspapers or his cut outs in Belagavi but there were only cut outs of few fake Gandhis who are doing politics in the name of the family, the JD(S) leader said.

Mysuru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumarswamy said that it is the 'nakli' Congress which held centenary celebration of Belgavi Congress session by spending tax payers' money on Thursday, not the original Congress which fought for Independence.

"Gandhi himself had asked to dissolve (visarjan) that Congress. Original Congress is broken to several fragments. The present Congress is one similar to Ali baba and 40 members. They are not working for people. I have no objection to celebration. Gandhi fought for independence. But there was no photo of Gandhi in newspapers or his cut outs in Belagavi but there were only cut outs of few fake Gandhis who are doing politics in the name of Gandhi family," he said.

He was speaking to media persons before holding DISHA meeting in Mandya on Thursday.

He questioned, "Which Gandhian path are they following to realise his dream of Rama Rajya? Are we seeing that atmosphere where a woman can move around freely in the mid night? In the state there is home minister for the sake of it, who doesn't know what is happening in his department. How are they treating police...they suspend a cop who allowed a BJP leaders' meeting in police station during MLC C T Ravi's arrest, not the one who took him around for whole night," Kumaraswamy alleged.

"Congress party workers are indulging in Goondagiri. Is it a civilian Government?" he asked.

Kumarswamy further questioned, "What have they done in the past one and half year? They have not utilised 15th finance commission amount of Rs 498.29 Crore released by Central Government for Gram Panchayat development. What action have they taken for more than 350 maternal mortality cases witnessed in the State? There are not adequate doctors and nurses in government hospitals. 2.756 lakh Government jobs are vacant. Then how can there be adminsitration? They are not strengthening man power, there is no capital expenditure or developmental work."

"They have taken Rs 2 lakh crore loan to give Rs 2000 under Gruha Lakshmi scheme. Let them give Rs 2000 more. But, with guarantee schemes, they are putting the burden of state's loans on people through tax," he added.