PNB Fraud Case: Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi, asks why ‘chowkidaar’ is silent

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked why the PM, who described himself as the “chowkidar” of the country, was silent on the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

While addressing a rally in Mulawad in Southern Karnataka, the 47-year-old politician questioned the Prime Minister why he was not taking any action against the alleged and increased turnover of the company, which was owned by Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) President Amit Shah’s son.

Gandhi said, “Modi ji comes to Karnataka and speaks about corruption. He had told the country not to make him prime minister but make him the chowkidar (watchman) of the country.”

While addressing the rally, he said, “On one side there is his party's (former) chief minister (B S Yeddyurappa) who had gone to jail and on the other side are the other four former ministers of the BJP government who had gone to jail; sitting in between them, PM Modi speaks about corruption.”

Gandhi alleged Amit Shah, and said, “Shah's son converts Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 80 crore in three months and the chowkidar of the country doesn't get it inquired and doesn't even utter a word.”

On the situation of demonetisation, Gandhi said, “Modi ji told the country to stand in line (queues at banks) for the fight against corruption. You would have not seen a single rich person or someone wearing suit-boot in the line.” He also alleged with the help of PM Modi, all the “thieves” in the country had converted their black money into white.

Gandhi also questioned Modi’s silence on the PNB fraud case involving jeweller designer Nirav Modi, and said, “"Nirav Modi has indulged in the theft of Rs. 22,000 crore, he runs away from the country, but the chowkidar of this country does not even utter a word.”

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi in Karnataka LIVE updates: PM Modi says I will fight against corruption, when four of his ministers are in jail on same charges

Gandhi asked the Prime Minister to walk the talk on issues like this and “preach as you practice”. He also accused Modi of ‘failing’ to fulfil the election promise of providing two crore jobs to the youth of the country every year.

PM Modi, however, broke his prolonged silence over the PNB-Nirav Modi fraud case on Friday, and said that strict action will be taken against those involved in financial irregularities and said loot of public money cannot be tolerated.

Rahul Gandhi is on the second day of his three-day tour of Karnataka, and visiting Mulawad is his second visit in less than a fortnight. The state is slated to go on polls in a few months.