Rahul Gandhi denies Congress hand in CBI naming YSR in land scam
TIRUPATI: Former AICC president Rahul Gandhi refuted on Saturday accusations levelled against Congress high command regarding the inclusion of party stalwart and ex-Andhra Pradesh CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s name in a CBI chargesheet after his demise in a helicopter crash in 2009.
“Congress will do nothing to damage the reputation of its own CM,” he said, while campaigning for Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila, who is contesting from her family bastion Kadapa.In 2012, CBI had accused YSR of engaging in a “criminal conspiracy” to allocate land to two pharmaceutical companies in return for their investment in the business ventures of his son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as part of a quid pro quo arrangement.
Rahul fondly recalled his family’s association with YSR, saying Sharmila’s father was the inspiration behind his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Recalling the close relationship between his father Rajiv Gandhi and YSR, he appealed to Kadapa voters to support Sharmila .
Paying tributes alongside Sharmila at YSR memorial in Idupulapaya, the Congress MP addressed a public meeting, where he accused YSRCP and TDP of prioritising personal gains over AP’s interests. Rahul said BJP in AP stands for Babu-Jagan-Pawan.
“Both successive TDP and YSRCP govts failed in exerting pressure on BJP-led NDA govt to fulfil the numerous promises, including the special category status, completion of Polavaram, and Kadapa steel plant, extended to AP in state reorganisation act,” he alleged.
Highlighting the disparity in wealth under Narendra Modi govt, he pledged changes under Congress, ensuring equal opportunities for all to become millionaires. “We are committed to our promise of Rs 2 lakh loan waiver for farmers, free education from KG to PG, construction of pucca houses for all by spending Rs 5 lakh for every house, financial assistance of Rs 8,500 to every woman, creation of 2.5 lakh jobs every year,” he promised. Sharmila also accused her brother of shielding YSRCP MP Avinash Reddy, an accused in a murder case, for five years and fielding him again from Kadapa.
“Congress will do nothing to damage the reputation of its own CM,” he said, while campaigning for Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila, who is contesting from her family bastion Kadapa.In 2012, CBI had accused YSR of engaging in a “criminal conspiracy” to allocate land to two pharmaceutical companies in return for their investment in the business ventures of his son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as part of a quid pro quo arrangement.
Rahul fondly recalled his family’s association with YSR, saying Sharmila’s father was the inspiration behind his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Recalling the close relationship between his father Rajiv Gandhi and YSR, he appealed to Kadapa voters to support Sharmila .
Paying tributes alongside Sharmila at YSR memorial in Idupulapaya, the Congress MP addressed a public meeting, where he accused YSRCP and TDP of prioritising personal gains over AP’s interests. Rahul said BJP in AP stands for Babu-Jagan-Pawan.
“Both successive TDP and YSRCP govts failed in exerting pressure on BJP-led NDA govt to fulfil the numerous promises, including the special category status, completion of Polavaram, and Kadapa steel plant, extended to AP in state reorganisation act,” he alleged.
Highlighting the disparity in wealth under Narendra Modi govt, he pledged changes under Congress, ensuring equal opportunities for all to become millionaires. “We are committed to our promise of Rs 2 lakh loan waiver for farmers, free education from KG to PG, construction of pucca houses for all by spending Rs 5 lakh for every house, financial assistance of Rs 8,500 to every woman, creation of 2.5 lakh jobs every year,” he promised. Sharmila also accused her brother of shielding YSRCP MP Avinash Reddy, an accused in a murder case, for five years and fielding him again from Kadapa.
