BJP targets Rahul Gandhi after Congress fields tainted Ashok Chavan

Mangalore Today News Network

 New Delhi, Mar 26, 2014 : The BJP has challenged Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to explain how his party has nominated former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to contest general elections from Nanded in Maharashtra.

In its sixth list of candidates released last evening, the Congress included Mr Chavan, who was indicted by an inquiry panel that investigated the Adarsh housing society scam in Mumbai in December last year. Mr Chavan had to resign as chief minister because of the allegations he faced.

The BJP’s Nirmala Sitharaman however sought to remind Mr Gandhi that he had promised zero-tolerance of corruption while launching his campaign for the general elections. "We have answered questions on corruption. Now let Shri Rahul Gandhi, who had promised zero tolerance on corruption, answer why this is being accommodated.

Responding to a volley of questions about Mr Chavan’s nomination yesterday as he announced the party’s sixth list, Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken said, "No court or Election Commission has barred Ashok Chavan from contesting polls. His case is different from that of Suresh Kalmadi. While Kalmadi has been chargesheeted, court has not taken cognisance of the case against Chavan".

Last week, the Congress had denied renomination to Mr Kalmadi, the sitting MP from Pune, because of the graft charges against him in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games in 2010, of which he was Organising Committee chairman.