The Congress has sought an investigation by the Lokpal into a media report that alleged bribes of Rs 1800 crore were paid by former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to the BJP’s top leaders. Addressing the media during a press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come forward and clarify whether bribes to the tune of Rs 1,800 crore were taken by the BJP leaders or not.
“Prima facie, this is a case of investigating all BJP leaders, right from the PM and downwards. It is a fit case to be investigated by the newly appointed Lokpal. The diary with B S Yeddyurappa’s signature on it was with the Income Tax Department since 2017. If that is the case why did Modi and the BJP not get it investigated,” Surjewala said.
The Congress’ idea of ‘grand alliance’ against the BJP flopped after several regional parties expressed reservation over Rahul’s leadership. Parties like TDP, Samajwadi Party, BSP and others are contesting against Congress in their respective states.
The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. The elections will be a litmus test for the Congress as it would face PM Narendra Modi whose popularity remains unmatched by any of the other rival leaders. Results will be declared on May 23.
Highlights
After all the fake issues have collapsed, the desperate are now relying on forgery. The Congress campaign is in shambles. Now even forgery can’t save them. Few loose sheets given by a Congress minister, is only as credible and reliable as Rahul Gandhi’s leadership skills, says BJP president Amit Shah.
Rubbishing bribery claims by Congress, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad described it as web of lies. The Congress is resorting to lies and fraud, says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
They have planted the story in the media to gain mileage in the upcoming elections. Issues raised by Congress leaders are irrelevant and false. I'm discussing with the senior advocates to file a defamation case against the concerned person also: BS Yeddyurappa
The diary with BS Yeddyurappa's sign on it was with the Income Tax Department since 2017. If that is the case why did Modi ji and BJP did not get it investigated? asks Randeep Surjewala
There is an allegation of bribe of Rs 1800 crore on the top BJP leadership, says Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
Randeep Surjewala releases documents in support of his claims. Claims that BS Yeddyurappa's diary names of senior BJP leaders from Rajnath Singh to Arun Jaitley.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleges that BS Yeddyurappa made payouts to senior BJP leaders during his tenure as Karnataka CM .
Rahul Gandhi is expected to address the media at 4:00 pm today.
The Congress party has said that it will expose the BJP today. Congress preisdent Rahul Gandhi will address the media and it is likely that he will speak about corruption charges. The Congress president was earlier slated to address the media at 10 pm but it was deferred to 1 pm. Later, the Congress said that the press conference will start at 2 pm.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi's press conferene has been deferred again. He will now speak to media at 4 pm. Rahul was earlier slated to hold a press conference at 10:30 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi after his close aide Sam Pitroda questioned the operation carried out by Indian Air Force.
Meanwhile, Congress special press conference today which was scheduled to be addressed by Rahul Gandhi, has been deferred to 1 pm from 10.15 am, ANI reported.
Acording to media reports, Congress president Rahul Gandhi may contest from a Karnataka seat. Rahul's name had figured in the first list. He is a sitting MP from Amethi, a seat he has been representing since 2004.
Rahul Gandhi will address the media at 10:30 at party office. He is likely to speak on alleged corruption in the Rafale deal. He has been alleging that PM Modi was directly involved in the deal and he signed the contract only to help his friend Anil Ambani.
The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. The party has fielded Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi seat. The Congress president's press conference comes a day after BJP declared that Irani would taken on Rahul in the upcoming elections.