Rane slams BJP over JNU row; terms Make in India a 'dud'

Defending Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi over the JNU controversy, party leader Narayan Rane today lashed out at BJP and RSS, saying they have no moral right to give lessons on patriotism to his party which has made numerous sacrifices for the country.

Rane's attack on ruling BJP, which has been targeting Rahul for "supporting" anti-nationals over the JNU row, came a day after Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan slammed the saffron outfit.

"Entire atmosphere in the country has been vitiated. BJP MPs and leaders, instead of maintaining calm, have polarised the political debate into 'patriots vs traitors'," the former Chief Minister said at a press meet here.

"BJP representatives are threatening to shoot our leader Rahul Gandhi whom they have branded as 'anti-national'. The fact is his family members have shed their blood for the unity and integrity of the country and made sacrifices," Rane said.

BJP and RSS have no moral right to give lessons on patriotism to Congress and its leaders, he said.

"I want to ask BJP and RSS, how many of their workers took part in the freedom struggle? How many of them sacrificed their lives for the country? Their contribution in freedom movement is nil," Rane, who left Shiv Sena to join Congress, said.

The former Industry Minister dubbed the just concluded Make In India (MII) week in the metropolis as "dud" and claimed the February 13-18 investment meet was "nothing but a wastage" of public money.

The BJP-led government is "misleading" the people of Maharashtra over the outcome of the high-profile expo, he said.

According to the Centre, the manufacturing summit secured investment commitments worth Rs 15.2 lakh crore, with host state Maharashtra alone accounting for Rs 8 lakh crore.

"I, too, have served as Chief Minister and Industry Minister. I know there are certain procedures to finalise a deal with companies. But, I have not found those procedures being taken into account (during MII). The government only issued press statements. It should come out with a white paper and tell the people truth about the (event)," Rane said.

"After splurging a huge amount of money, the Fadnavis Government has signed deals with companies which have already turned bankrupt. The government has claimed to have signed investment deals worth Rs 8 lakh crore.

"It's all farce. The government has inked deals with companies whose balance-sheets look dubious and the MoUs are not going to materialise," the Congress leader said.