Why BJP govt didn't get black money back: Sonia
PTI, PANAJI | 25 February 2012 23:45 IST
Targetting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for campaigning against the UPA government over its "failure" in bringing back black money stashed abroad, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday asked why the BJP-led NDA government did not act upon it when it was in power.
"The BJP keeps talking of corruption and black money stashed abroad. Of course, we must do everything to bring back black money, if at all it is stashed abroad," Gandhi said while addressing an election rally in Fatorda constituency in Goa.
"I would like to question BJP that when they were in power for six long years, what were they doing? L K Advani was the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister at that time. What did he do to bring back money?" she asked.
She said that her party believes in getting rid of corruption and that the Congress-led government has taken very firm measures against it. "That is what the Congress-led government is doing at the Centre with all sincerity," she said.
"We ensured that the Lokpal Bill is passed in the Lok Sabha. However, it was the BJP and some other parties, who stopped it in the Rajya Sabha," she said adding that the BJP leaders were "hypocrites".
"You see what kind of hypocrisy they are involved in. We remain determined to perceive a strong and effective Lokpal Bill," Gandhi said.
"When we receive your mandate (in Goa) we will have a strong and independent Lokayukta, for which, the state government has already passed the resolution," she added.
"Nobody is above the Law. Investigating agencies must be given a free hand to look into the cases of corruption and book offenders," she said.
While speaking on Goan issues, she assured the citizens of Goa that the controversial regional plan document would be passed only after taking all the stakeholders into confidence.
"Goa Regional Plan (RP) is a matter of concern for many of you. The plan will be finalised only after taking into account all the stakeholders," Gandhi said.
The RP has become an election issue after Digambar Kamat-ledgovernment had tried to pass the land use document, which is allegedly full of several discrepancies.
Civil right groups have fielded their candidates in 12 constituencies, who have focused their poll campaign on the issue of the Goa regional plan.
Gandhi recalled that during her last visit to Goa on December 17, she had assured that the plan would not be "forced" upon the people.
Talking about the controversial issue of the medium of instruction in primary education in the state, Gandhi said that parents should be able to decide, in which language their children should study at the primary level.
Congress-led government's decision to give grants to the English medium schools had triggered a controversy in the state. A section of people are demanding that grants should only be given to schools in Indian languages.
During her 20-minute long speech, the Congress president said that the party is committed to assessing the implementation of assurances given to the people.
"It is my commitment that we present annual report assessing implementation of manifesto, based on public feedback," she said.
"The manifesto for Goa is before you. Our promises and pledges reflect the vision meant to benefit all the sections of Goa's society, but of course, they are more pointed towards weaker section, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Woman and Youths," she said.
I will ask Sonia Gandhi, what Goa Congress has done
for the sake of Goan. Do not hide the fact and clean
aspects. Congress all over India including Goa all are full of blood their hands. Criminal, Looting, Goonda,
illegal business mining. Clean first your party members teach them how to make development not
only doing busines cutting hill, roads etc. In congress not a single leader are clean all are corrupt involved in
criminal etc. Hard to beleive then test for expample Verna young girl lost her life and Congress leaders are fully support Mr. Rane (Health Minister) being hide doctors shame on Congress Government. This election have no chance congress party winning. Sonia must say bye bye ...