BJP behaving like panic-stricken rats, says Priyanka on Vadra video

 

Rae Bareli, Apr 27, 2014, (PTI): In her shrillest attack on BJP which released a video against her husband Robert Vadra today, Priyanka Gandhi said it was behaving like panic-stricken rats but she will not be intimidated by such "lies" and will continue to speak against its "destructive" politics.

 

The BJP reacted by accusing Congress of taking democratic discourse to a new low with its "abusive" politics.

 

"They are running around like panic-stricken rats. I knew that they will repeat their bunch of lies. There is nothing new in it but let them say whatever they want to. I am not afraid of anyone and will continue to speak against their negative, destructive and shameful politics," Priyanka told reporters after addressing a rally here.

 

"I will not remain quite and I am waiting for them to say more," she said.

 

Priyanka was asked about a video and a booklet brought out by BJP on the alleged land deals of her husband which it termed as ’Robert Vadra model of development’.

 

BJP has alleged that the ’Vadra model’ has become successful due to the patronage provided by the Gandhi family to Vadra.

 

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said "there was a gross violation of laws relating to land and environment. The influence of the family helped make Vadra big earnings in the deals."

 

The six-page booklet titled ’Damad Shree’ refers to the various deals of Vadra in Rajasthan and Haryana.

 

Reacting to Priyanka’s remarks, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "Calling BJP rats is abusive politics. They have taken democratic discourse to such a low and they have now distorted democracy and hurt democracy."

 

He said when the BJP leaders including Narendra Modi are raising "corruption issues, they are trying to divert the attention of the country from important issues such as price rise and corruption."

 

The BJP spokesperson said by raising the "dubious" land deals done by Vadra, the BJP is not indulging in personal attacks but is taking up the issue of corruption by Haryana government which allowed land use ignoring rules and regulations.

 

"Gujarat government’s policies are not for one person, they are for public welfare whereas the Congress government’s policies are personal issues," he said.

 

Prasad said, "I do not want to stoop to such level. I did not even ask questions to Priyanka Gandhi. My questions were aimed at Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and we wanted to know that how a person by merely investing Rs one lakh can earn Rs 300 crore."

 

He said this was a textbook case of corruption and "BJP realises that there is nothing personal in it and as far as the language used by her, I am sorry, I don’t wish to join the debate."

 

Meanwhile, addressing a rally, Priyanka said her party’s politics was about decentralising power in the country and giving power to everyone.

 

"There is one more politics these days which is also being advertised that you give your powers and rights to one person, who can take decisions and do everything. This is not our politics and this is wrong politics," she said.

 

Campaigning for her mother Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka urged the electorate to vote for her party on April 30.

 

Earlier today, BJP workers showed flags to Priyanka in Ichauli village and raised slogans.

 

Reacting to Priyanka’s rat remark, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said that the comment does not answer the substance of the charge.

 

"The substance of the charge is very serious and I hope she realises that. In past few days, the tendency of certain leaders to use harsh words is inconsistent with the spirit of democracy.

 

"So, I don’t think anybody has to jump into the sea. Somebody may not find even sufficient depth to hide their faces after the defeat," Jaitley said.