Congress weakening campaign against corruption: Modi

Patna, April 19: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi today (April 19) accused the Congress of "attempting to weaken" the campaign launched by the social activist from Maharashtra Anna Hazare against corruption and said the grand old party should take a lesson from the past.

"Congress is trying to weaken the anti-corruption campaign launched by Anna... the party should take a lesson from the past and cooperate in the fight against corruption", Modi told reporters.

"It is unfortunate that the Congress is heading for a collision course against the mass movement against corruption", he said, adding it might prove dear to the grand old party.

Apparently referring to the controversy over audio CD, Modi said it was also unfortunate that a smear campaign had been launched against the co-chair of the joint committee.

He said the country was witnessing a similar situation which was witnessed at the time of "complete revolution" movement by Jaiprakash Narayan in 1973 against former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi. Her successor and son Rajiv Gandhi too had to feel the heat in 1988-89 because of his mistakes.

"There is also a conspiracy hatched by the Congress to tarnish Hazare, his associates and trust", he claimed.

The Congress should know the fact that an atmosphere had been built up against corruption and all the parties should take a lesson from it and support the Lok Pal Bill being framed.

PTI