PNB Fraud: Explain how money was taken from right under your nose, Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi

Dismissing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ‘statement that strict action would be taken in the PNB fraud case, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked him to first explain how the money was taken away from the bank under his nose.

“A scam of Rs 22,000 crore happens, Nirav Modi runs?away with Rs 22,000 crore from Indian Banks and Modiji (Prime Minister) says action will be taken,” Gandhi said addressing a rally in poll-bound Karnataka.

“Action will be taken? You first make us understand how did Nirav Modi take Rs 22,000 crore from Indian banks under the nose of Narendra Modi's government,” he said,

He demanded to know why the finance minister and Modi "allowed this to happen".

Breaking his silence over the Rs 11,400-crore fraud at India's second-biggest PSU bank, PM Modi had yesterday warned of strict action against those involved in financial irregularities and said loot of public money would not be tolerated.

The Congress chief is touring parts of north Karnataka as part of his second leg of campaign in Karnataka, where elections are expected in April-May.

During his speech, Gandhi repeatedly quoted 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara from Karnataka, revered by dominant Lingayat/Veerashiva community which is predominantly present in northern parts of the state, to attack the prime minister.

He said Basaveshwara had said five things -- "don't indulge in theft, don't indulge in violence, do not lie, do? not boast about yourself and don't spread anger."

"First one was don't indulge in theft. Narendra Modi says that the Congress party government in Karnataka is corrupt. When he says it, on his right side is his chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa who had gone to jail, on the other side four more ministers who had gone to jail," Gandhi said.

The Congress president said that Modi, who gives "long speeches", was quiet on the Rafael fighter jet deal.

"He (Modi) banned the notes, implemented Gabbar Singh Tax and destroyed lakhs of businesses, but Jay Shah's (BJP President Amit Shah's son) business within three months converts from Rs 50,000 into Rs 80 crore. On this Narendra Modi does not speak anything."

Pointing out that Basaveshwara also said don't indulge?in violence, Gandhi hit out at the Modi government,accusing it of dividing society and indulging in atrocities against Dalits and minorities.

Referring to Basaveshwara's preachings against lying, Gandhi said Modi made "promises in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, including that Rs 15 lakh will be deposited into bank accounts of every Indian, jobs to two crore youth and making India corruption free".

"Has he worked on this and shown to you? Wasn't the Rs 15? lakh promise a lie...? he asked.