Pics: Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal/Kumta
Kumta, Nov 1 (PTI): Veteran BJP leader L K Advani today attacked the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led government saying that the Centre is in inertia in decision making due to corruption.
“Because of corruption, the Central government has become paralysed, has become dysfunctional and is unable to take any decision,” he said.
Addressing a rally on the 22nd day of his yatra against corruption, Advani launched a broadside against the Prime Minister for saying at the Governors conference on Sunday that time has now come to act against corruption.
“Time has come now. Time came several years ago when, under your leadership, one after the other scam was committed. Time has come now or then…,” he said referring to the PM.
The BJP leader said that if there was any issue which was discussed most in every part of the country, it was corruption.
“Will people tolerate this kind of corruption….People in the country were sad, unhappy and disturbed due to corruption,” he said.
He dispelled as “misconceived” allegations that India was a corrupt country in the wake of the scams.
“The leaders in New Delhi may be corrupt, the government may be corrupt. India is not a corrupt nation. By and large, the people of India are honest, hard working people who earn their own money properly,” Advani said.
Advani accused the Prime Minister of not taking any step to get back black money “amounting to Rs 25 lakh crore” stashed away in foreign banks, including Swiss banks, despite promises made to this effect during the 2009 parliamentary polls.
He made a reference to Swiss Parliament, which after “pressure” from various developed nations had passed a new law earlier this year, known as the ‘Restitution of Illicit Assets Act’, for return of illicit money of nations but said India had not benefited from it.
“While America, Germany and some small African nations have taken their dirty money back from Swiss banks following this Act, India has not it taken up yet…Why?,” he asked.
Advani said, “In the coming Winter Session of Parliament, we will ask the government as to what benefit has the government derived out of this international law. How much money has come back yet.
Advani also offered puja at Murdeshwar Temple, where he was recieved by temple committee's R N Shetty and others. BJP leader Ananth Kumar briefed Advani about the temple, and the latter also penned down his comments in a book at the temple.