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Vajpayee accuses Congress of promoting corruption

PTI | ByPress Trust of India, Khajuraho
May 03, 2004 09:49 PM IST

Vajpayee alleged that mastermind of the multi-crore stamp-paper scam, Abdul Karim Telgi, was a Cong worker who is now languishing in jail.

Accusing Congress of promoting corruption, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today alleged that the mastermind of the multi-crore fake stamp-paper scam, Abdul Karim Telgi, was a Congress worker who is now languishing in jail.

HT Image
HT Image

Asking Congress President Sonia Gandhi to refrain from levelling corruption charges against BJP-led NDA, Vajpayee said she should not forget that "the fake stamp scam kingpin was once a Congress worker and is now lodged in a jail."

Wrapping up the BJP campaign for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh going to polls on May five, Vajpayee in his characteristic style remarked: "Jo Shishe Ke Gharon Mein Rahte Hain, Woh Dusron Ke Gharon Pe Patthar Nahin Phekte" (those living in glass houses should not throw stones at others houses).

Describing corruption as a social menace, Vajpayee said it should be fought jointly.

Alluding to the "inexperience" of Sonia Gandhi in the administration, the Prime Minister said running the government was not a "child's play" and warned that a minor mistake could trigger a crisis for a country with 100 crore people.

Amid exit poll reports predicting a fractured verdict, Vajpayee cautioned people against any non-BJP coalition government, saying such experiments in the past have failed.

Referring to previous coalition governments, he said they could neither complete their term nor serve the people.

On the other hand, the 24-party BJP-led NDA regime was a success story, he said praising the ruling coalition for providing political stability and giving a new direction to the development of the country.

Accusing Congress, which ruled the nation for most of the period in the post-independence era, of failing to fulfil the aspirations of the people, Vajpayee held the main Opposition responsible for the country's backwardness.

Highlighting achievements of the NDA, he listed ambitious projects like Golden Quadrilateral and inter-linking of rivers and said the country was made self-reliant in every aspect, has largest foreign exchange reserves and being referred to as the fastest growing economy globally.

Exhorting people to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise despite scorching heat and wedding season, vajpayee said vote was a weapon, which could fight the evil an strengthen the democracy.

Striking a chord with local population, Vajpayee said rail link from Lalitpur to Singrauli has been sanctioned and more funds would be allocated for the project.

To promote tourism in a big way in Khajuraho, he said infrastructural facilities would be provided to the ancient town to attract more foreign tourists.

The Chief Minister Uma Bharti and BJP nominee from Khajuraho, Ramkrishna Kusmaria were also present on the occasion.

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