Rahul Gandhi leads opposition attack on PM Modi at Andhra CM’s protest venue

Congress president Rahul Gandhi led the opposition attack on PM Modi after a media report claimed that the PMO had waived off key anti-corruption clauses before the Rafale deal was finalised. Gandhi was speaking in the Capital at the protest site where Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu was on a day’s fast demanding special status for his state.

“Every defence deal has anti-corruption clauses. Media reports now suggest that the PM has removed them. It is clear that the PM facilitated the loot,” Gandhi said on Monday. Naidu said: “The present prime minister and the NDA government are dividing the country. They are building a hatred campaign.” Many opposition leaders, including Manmohan Singh, Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath and Anand Sharma (Congress); Sharad P awa r (NC P) ; Mulayam Singh (SP); Sharad Yadav (LJD); Arvind Kejriwal (AAP); Trinamool and the Left members and others turned out in Naidu’s support. All of them registered their protest against the government for not giving special status and other post-bifurcation economic packages to Andhra as promised by Parliament. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s presence at the venue spiced up the political atmosphere. Manmohan Singh said: “This demand (made by CM Naidu) had support of all parties when it was discussed in Parliament. I stand in solidarity with Naidu.”

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee will reach Delhi on Tuesday to start her own protest on Wednesday.