Rajnath slams Congress for calling BJP 'a party of thieves'

New Delhi, Nov 20: Expressing displeasure over

being dubbed as a "party of thieves" by

, the saffron party president

today said it was strange that

, which itself was involved in several scams, was denouncing the BJP.

"In the last nine-and-half years of Congress-led UPA rule, scams worth Rs 49 lakh crore took place and the Congress, which is escaping from its responsibility on the issue, is calling the BJP thief, which is unfortunate," Rajnath told reporters ahead of the November 25 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh.

During a poll rally in Chhattisgarh last week, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had dubbed BJP as a "party of thieves" and accused it of "looting natural resources" of that state.

"Whenever Congress comes to power in the country, there is inflation and corruption," Rajnath alleged. It has also led to scams in the country everyday, causing hardships to the people, he said.

Even after 67 years of Independence, the nation is facing major problems of poverty and unemployment, the BJP leader pointed out.

The growing problems in the country can be solved only by removing Congress from power, as it has failed to address the basic issues or is not aware of them at all, he stressed.

Rajnath claimed that his party will form government in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi after the Assembly elections as the BJP is contesting the polls showcasing the model of development and good-governance in the states where it is in power.

PTI