GHAZIABAD: Congress's Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday described electoral bonds, which Supreme Court recently scrapped, as the "world's biggest extortion scheme" and launched a frontal attack on PM Modi, calling him "bhrashtachar ke champion (the champion of corruption)".
Rahul said he had a few days ago predicted up to 180 seats for BJP, but now "it seems it will go up to 150 seats only", reasoning that Congress is getting reports of an undercurrent in favour of INDIA bloc. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said BJP would be swept away from "Ghaziabad to Ghazipur", and Modi, whose is the sole photo on BJP's campaign material, would exit the scene.
The remarks from the two leaders came at a press conference in the NCR district - the first joint address by the two INDIA bloc partners in UP in the current election campaign.
Though Modi recently said EBs were brought for transparency, Rahul asked if it was so, then why were the names of donors and dates of donations to BJP hidden from the public.
At the press meet, Rahul pitched Lok Sabha poll as a battle between two ideologies, between "RSS and BJP, who are trying to end the Constitution and the democratic system", and INDIA bloc, "which is protecting and defending the Constitution".
"There are two or three important issues in this election, like unemployment and price rise. However, BJP is on a round-the-clock campaign to distract people from the real issues," he said.
Rahul, however, parried a question on whether he would contest from Amethi. "The party will decide. Whatever order I get, I will abide by that," he said. Rahul is contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, which goes to polls on April 26. Amethi will vote on May 20 in the fifth phase.
Akhilesh said INDIA alliance is a "nai ummeed" (new hope). "Jhooth aur loot, BJP ki pehchan ban gayi hai (lies and corruption have become BJP's identity). Due to the paper leak (constable recruitment in UP), 60 lakh youth suffered under this govt. People are yearning for change now," he said, adding, "PDA (Pichhde, Dalit aur Alpsankhyak) will defeat NDA (National Democratic Alliance)."
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