Rahul enters campaign fray in Guj, says BJP protecting Morbi culprits
AHMEDABAD/SURAT: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to protect the “real culprits” behind the Morbi bridge collapse, which killed 135 people, as he hit the campaign trail in Gujarat 10 days ahead of the first phase of assembly elections.
The Congress leader also alleged that the BJP was drawing up plans to displace adivasis (tribals) by handing over forests to industrialists.
Elections to the 182-member state assembly will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.
Taking a break from the 3,570km cross-country Bharat Jodo Yatra, currently passing through Maharashtra, Gandhi travelled to Gujarat to address
two election rallies in Gujarat’s Rajkot and Surat.
In Rajkot, Gandhi said the “real culprits” behind the collapse of a suspension bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi town on October 30 were being protected as they share “good relations with the BJP”.
“The question arises that those who were responsible for the tragedy, no action was being taken against them... They (company owners) have good relations with the BJP and therefore, real culprits are being protected...”
Gandhi’s remarks came on the day the Supreme Court called the collapse an “enormous tragedy” and asked the Gujarat high court to ensure that the investigation fixes accountability of those guilty of criminal negligence.
During the rally, Gandhi also spoke about unemployment. “Today, young people can’t get employment. There is the highest unemployment in 45 years. This is because all public sector enterprises are being privatised and given to rich industrialists.”
Earlier in the day, the Congress MP addressed a gathering of tribals in Surat’s Mahuva and said he felt the pain of farmers, youth and tribals after meeting them during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“They call you ‘vanvasi’ (forest dwellers). They do not say you are the first owners of India, but that you live in the jungle. Do you see the difference? It means they do not want you to live in cities, they do not want your children to become engineers, doctors, learn to fly planes, speak English.”
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks on Morbi tragedy, BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas said: “This is not a drama being played where you yourself become the judge and the jury. Real culprits will be brought to the book and punished after a thorough probe.”