Jammu, Sep 30: “While the Swachh Bharat Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is commendable, the real true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi is to weed out corruption and criminality from Parliament and Assemblies,” said Jammu-based senior AAP leader Kuldeep Kumar Rao on Saturday.
He added, “External cleanliness is not enough; we need to clean our bureaucracy of dirty, corrupt, and criminal elements and tackle high-level corruption.”
Rao in a statement emphasised the importance of internal cleanliness, stating that adulteration in foodstuff and medicines is more dangerous than dirt and rubbish. He called for stronger laws against adulteration, with capital punishment for such crimes.
He criticised the alleged shielding of bureaucrats, ministers, and politicians involved in heinous acts due to political affiliations. He lamented that public servants at the top levels make statements such as compensating rapists instead of punishing them.
Rao called for severe deterrent laws, time-bound investigations, and speedy trials regarding corruption, saying that legislators engage in non-issues in Parliament to polarise the society instead of addressing corruption. “Electoral and judicial reforms are needed but unlikely in this corrupt political system,” he said.
He called for paying tribute to the ‘Father of the Nation’ by following his principles of non-violence, truthfulness, a caste-free, and corruption-free society. He urged every responsible citizen to work unitedly to expose traditional political parties and create an equal, just, and corruption-free society.
The AAP leader accused the BJP of misusing Central agencies, arresting or jailing opposition party leaders while allowing corrupt politicians who joined their party to go free. He criticised the non-implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes, the issue of unemployment and drug addiction.
Rao also alleged: “Huge amount has been utilised for the propaganda. Rs 23,000 crore have been utilised for the advertisements, radio, TV, Media and hoardings by the BJP Central government for their campaigns.”
“The true tribute to Gandhi Ji is to clean up our political system and create a just and equal society,” he added.
