Describing that joining of Congress party as ‘homecoming’, suspended BJP MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that Modi’s statement, “na khaunga, na khaane dunga” (neither I will do corruption nor I will let anyone do it) is also a false one. “Even BJP MPs doubt there was wrongdoings in the Rafale deal,” said Azad.
Azad, who was part of the 1993 Indian World Cup cricket squad and a member from Bihar’s Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency, was addressing the media persons along with Congress Bihar in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil.
Early on Monday, the cricketer-turned politician called on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the latter welcomed him to the party. “Today in front of Rahul Gandhi I joined the Congress. I felicitated him in traditional Mithila style,” Azad tweeted.
He stated that it was his homecoming and added that “my father was made an MP at the age of 26 by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952”.
Azad’s father, Bhagwat Jha Azad was a Congress leader and was the chief minister of Bihar for a brief period. “In BJP, the leaders did not take any action for the complaints I raised about corruption against BJP leaders. I realised that Modi’s claim of na khaunga, na khaane dunga is also another false promise,” said Azad.
Taking on Modi government over the Rafale deal, Azad also stated that whether a government, which “lied to the Supreme Court”, will tell the truth to common people.
“I served BJP for 26 years, but in last few years, the real face of BJP was unveiled. When I heard about the false promises and witnessed corruption, I regretted,” said Azad.
Welcoming Azas into the party, Gohil said that every cricket enthusiast in India is aware of Azad’s contributions and added that “he hails from a family of freedom fighters”.
Referring to the Pulwama terror attack, the Congress leader said, “I reiterate Congress President’s words and express our gratitude to our jawans. We stand with the families of soldiers who were martyred”.
Gohil further said that the Congress party has extended support to the government and put national interests above party politics. “Terrorism wants to divide our nation, but, people of this country will not let them succeed,” he added.
All said and done, Azad’s statement on Rafale tosses the question as what could have been the reason behind the latter’s silence on the issue so far. Azad had for quite some time been raising question marks on the honesty claim being trumpeted by the BJP.
(With agency inputs)
