Rahul says cases like Sonawane should not recur

Aurangabad, Jan 29 (PTI) Expressing shock over themurder of an Additional Collector in Maharashtra by the oilmafia, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said such incidentsshould not recur and stringent action should be taken incorruption cases within six months.

Gandhi, who is on the last leg of his three dayMaharashtra visit, said collective efforts are needed totackle corruption.

The AICC General Secretary said he was shocked by themurder of Additional Collector Yashwant Sonawane by the oilmafia and said steps should be taken that cases like these arenot repeated.

"We need to look into why this happening and we needto ensure this does not happen again," he said.

To a query on a report by retired IAS officer LeenaMehendale, who had filed a detailed report on fueladulteration in the state 15 years ago, Gandhi said, "The wayI see this is that corruption is a serious issue."

"We have to look into this issue in a collective way.

Stringent action against corruption is needed. Punishmentshould be within six months, instead of 20 years," he said,adding, "We in Congress have taken stern action againstcorruption".

On the issue of black money stashed abroad, he said,"We should put in as much efforts as possible to ensure thatwhat is India''s money, what is people''s money, comes back."

To a query, Gandhi said, "I never made connectionbetween coalition and price rise."

In the political process, he said, "The real challengefor us is to open the doors to youngsters. We have started ademocratic process in the Youth Congress. There is not asingle nominated person. This is the way ahead."

"What disturbs me is that everybody points tocorruption but few people actually look at the politicalsystem where the problem lies," he said.

The Congress leader said he "knew there are manyyoungsters who look at politics and say that is not for us."

"My request to youngsters who are educated andtalented is to take a look at Youth Congress website. Come andhelp me build the structure," he said.

"I need ten years of your life. Give me ten years ofyour life and after that you will be very proud." .