Bhatkal: In a no-holds-barred attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of corruption, Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused the leader of supporting eight candidates, all relatives of tainted mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, and described the CBI as “Central Bureau of Illegal Mining”, for going soft on those involved in illegal mining of iron ore, on Thursday.

During his campaign and road shows in Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district, Mr Gandhi charged: "Modiji comes to Karnataka and speaks about fighting corruption when to his left would be Yeddyurappa and to his right, four Ministers who had been to jail. This time, a full team has been prepared. Eight tickets have been given to the Reddy brothers and team. They were given clean chit by Mr Modi as soon as they came out of prison. Modiji who likes to change names of organisations like from Planning Commission to Neeti Ayog has changed CBI from Central Bureau of Investigation to Central Bureau of Illegal Mining.”




He also mocked at Mr Modi and his cabinet colleagues for not allowing a discussion in parliament on issues such as the Rafale jet deal and billionaires like Neerav Modi defaulting on loans.

"Modiji is so scared about Rafale (deal) and Neerav Modi issue that the government did not allow parliament to function. Modiji will not be able to stand in parliament if Congress speaks for 15 minutes on these issues. The next time Modiji comes here journalists should ask him about corruption, about Central Bureau of Illegal Mining and the reason why tickets were given to eight people of Reddy brothers and team.

Modiji should tell Karnataka and the country why he supports corruption. But the media cannot ask questions because they (media persons) are not allowed near him. Modiji comes here with the aim of giving the state to the hands of Reddy brothers and few others.

The Congress will not allow this. We would make it impossible. Congress is unitedly fighting this election with our workers in every booth. This time BJP will know what Congress is in Karnataka and what it can do," he said and appealed to voters to defeat the BJP in Karnataka and Delhi.

Mr Rahul Gandhi also took up the issue of harassment and rape on women across the country. "The Prime Minister had given a slogan 'Beti Bachao- -Beti Padao. But we have seen incidents of women being harassed and raped in various parts of the country. Modiji is silent even when his party leader was involved. Earlier the slogan was 'Beti Bachao Beti Padao.' Now it has turned to Beti ko BJP se Bachao (Save girl child from BJP)" he mocked.

He also held Mr Modi responsible for divisive politics. “Hindus are made to fight against Muslims. In Maharastra there were fights between two groups and also in Haryana. Wherever he goes there is fight between people," he alleged.