Union min Joshi urges swift action against Bagalkot riot culprits

Kalaburagi: Union minister Pralhad Joshi Saturday accused Congress of "appeasement politics" and demanded immediate action against those involved in the Bagalkot riots.Speaking to reporters here, he referred to the incident of slippers being flung at a Shivaji idol in Bagalkot and blamed the Congress party's political attitude for such developments. He said only the actual culprits should be arrested and not members of entire communities. "It is not right to take collective action against innocent people," he said.Alleging that Congress workers attacked people during the AI Summit, Joshi said such behaviour would harm the country's reputation.Slamming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said, "Rahul is a prodigal son. He is an ignorant politician. I do not know what to say about him." About AICC president, he said Mallikarjun Kharge should apologise "if there is any prudence," given the "damage done to the honour of the country."Referring to the Supreme Court's observations on the Congress govt's free guarantee schemes, Joshi said, "Kharge himself said that there is no money to cover potholes through guarantee schemes. From now on, anyone should think before giving a guarantee." He added that there were "many types of confusion" within the Congress party.