Cong snubs partymen not taking seriously austerity drive

In a virtual snub to partymen not taking the party's austerity drive seriously as also Rahul Gandhi's visits to Dalit homes, Congress today advised partymen to lead a life of simplicity.

In a virtual snub to partymen not taking the party's austerity drive seriously as also Rahul Gandhi's visits to Dalit homes, Congress today advised partymen to lead a life of simplicity.

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"When Rahul Gandhi visits village after village and rests on cots of Dalits...When most of our veteran leaders and traditional partymen lead their life in simplicity and fulfill their duties responsibly then other people should also try to bring a change in their daily life style," the party said. In an editorial in the latest issue of its mouthpiece 'Congress Sandesh', the party made it clear that "being wealthy does not by itself give us a right to spend as we please".

"People who have nothing to do with the basic values of life normally end up offering wrong reasoning to hide their violation of values," the party said.

The party's comment came close on the heels of the controversy over Uttar Pradesh ministers, including some union ministers, enjoying the comfort of fans and cooler during the visits to Dalits houses.

It also came in the backdrop of Union Minister Shashi Tharoor's "cattle class" remark which had raised a controversy as also his stay and that of another Union Minister SM Krishna in a five star hotel and attempts to justify it.

"It is not a question as to whose wealth we are enjoying," the editorial said.