Congress using Mahatma Gandhi’s name for publicity: Pralhad Joshi

Belagavi: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Monday slammed that grand old party, saying that that the incumbent Congress party was I-Congress which was not concerned with the Congress party which fought for independence.

Speaking to presspersons, the Union Minister said Congress has been using Mahatma Gandhi’s name and the centenary of him presiding over the Congress Session here in 1924 for its own publicity.

Joshi said it wasn’t the original Congress party of the Gandhi’s. "Its fake Congress party and fake Gandhi’s."

"It was Congress party which insulted Dr B R Ambedkar and defeated him in the two elections to stop him from entering the constituent assembly. Dr Ambedkar was denied the portfolio of economics by then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and he quit the cabinet, Nehru had stated that it would not have any bearing on the government," he said.

"Congress did not allow memorial of Dr Ambedkar in Alipore nor his last rites to be conducted in New Delhi and his last rites were conducted in Mumbai. Congress should make it clear, if they would apologise for their acts to Dr Ambedkar and nation," he questioned.

"Government funds were being used for the Congress programme to be held here while there was no money to foot the electricity bills of government offices. Recently HESCOM had disconnected power supply connection of Sub-Registrar Office in Dharwad for non-payment of electricity bill dues," Joshi added.