BJP President Amit Shah today
targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying instead of embarking on roadshows against demonetisation, he should take out "yatras against unemployment, poverty and starvation".
Addressing BJP's 'Parivartan Rally' here, he also hit out at other opposition parties, including SP, BSP and Trinamool Congress, for "ganging up" against demonetisation and disrupting parliamentary proceedings leading to a virtual washout of the winter session.
"Rahul Baba is undertaking padyatras daily. It will be better if Rahul takes out yatras against unemployment, poverty and starvation," Shah said while targeting the Congress leader who has been aggressively campaigning against demonetisation.
"He (Rahul) asks what change has come after BJP came to power... He will not be able to see as he has 'Italian chashma' (Italian glasses) on his eyes," Shah said, in an apparent reference to Italian roots of Rahul's mother Sonia Gandhi.
The BJP chief likened the unity among opposition parties on the issue of demonetisation to all animals in a jungle climbing the same tree to save their lives from raging floods.
He likened SP, BSP and Congress to "naagnath and saanpnath" (snakes) sitting over schemes for development of Uttar Pradesh forcing youths to migrate to other states for menial jobs, and asserted that "come what may, BJP will come to power" after the coming Assembly election.
He said demonetisation has taken the wind out of BSP supremo Mayawati's sails.
Shah said till November 7 these parties used to ask "Modiji what have you done to check black money. Now, these very parties ask 'Modiji why have you done this to check black money," the BJP chief said.
The tough step has caused discomfort to those having lakhs of crores of rupees ill-gotten money, Shah said.
Noting that it was his duty to answer the questions being raised by the opposition parties on note ban, Shah said every single paisa being deposited after deducting the 75 to 85 per cent penalty by the black money holders will be used for the development and welfare works.
Attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Shah said he should give an account of his achievements during his nearly five-year rule rather than trying to divert the people's attention by raising the issue of demonetisation.
"SP, BSP and Congress and at some places Ajit Singh (RLD)
are together stalling the development of Uttar Pradesh as saapnath and naagnath," the BJP President said.
Shah was particularly critical of Akhilesh and said central assistance for the welfare of the poor and farmers in Uttar Pradesh went in vain as the benefits did not reach the targeted people and instead swelled the coffers of Samajwadi Party leaders.
"You can see that their dwelling units had changed to palaces during the SP rule.. Massive dose of financial assistance was given to the state but it was usurped by 'chacha-bhatija' (uncle-nephew)," he said, referring to Akhilesh and state party chief Shivpal Singh Yadav.
Akhilesh will have to answer for the "wrongs" done during his five-year rule, the BJP chief said.
"Akhilesh will first have to answer for Mathura where government land was encroached for years, Bulandshahr where gangrape was committed and his minister Azam Khan made mockery of it and here in Etah 100 people lost their lives in hooch tragedy," Shah said.
"I feel bad to see youths from UP drive taxis and work as labourers in other states as there is no opportunity in their home state," he said, adding only a BJP government can ensure that they work in their native district, stay with their parents and family.
"It is corruption, corruption and nothing but corruption in Uttar Pradesh," he rued.
Referring to the CM's claims of getting more that 300 seats in case of an alliance with Congress, Shah said he should not leave his 'Buaji' (Mayawati). "But, it will be BJP which will come to power in UP," he asserted.
Claiming that incidents of rape increased by a staggering 161 per cent during the Akhilesh Yadav regime, Shah recalled that when the state had a BJP government headed by Kalyan Singh, criminals kept a low profile.
He said senior SP leader and UP minister Azam Khan made a mockery of law and order with his comments on rape cases.
Shah said the Modi government had done away with interview of youths for Class III and IV jobs, but the SP government was so deep into corruption that it did not comply with the order unlike BJP-ruled states.
