Deodurg/Shahpur (DHNS): Corruption continued to be the Congress president Rahul Gandhi's keynote on the third day of his Janaarshivada Yatra in the state on Monday, raking up the business dealings of the BJP chief Amit Shah's son for the first time.

He demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain how Jay Shah, whom he did not name during his speech, managed to make huge profits in a little time.
"With the Gabbar Singh Tax (GST), Modi destroyed small businesses. But there's one business where 50,000 became 70,000 crore in just three months. That's Amit Shah's son," he charged at a rally where he addressed the tribals at Deodurg in Raichur district. "Modi talks about Startup India, but he doesn't give jobs. He has started a badiya (amazing) startup for Amit Shah's son."

Rahul reached out to Dalits and adivasis by accusing the BJP of taking away their lands to favour corporates and industrialists.

Accusing the BJP of doling out favours to "India's top 10 industrialists," Rahul dared Modi to open Indira Canteens, the popular affordable eateries, all over India to help the poor.

'RSS chief should apologise'

Speaking to reporters in Shahpur in Yadgir district, Rahul demanded an apology from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. "What he said about the Army...bilkul galat hai. He should apologise," he said. "Our jawans give their blood and fight at the border. To speak like that (about jawans) is wrong."

Bhagwat reportedly told the RSS workers in Bihar that they can be trained in three days to defend India if the need arose whereas the India Army would require 6-7 months to prepare for war.

The Congress chief continued his tirade against Modi for "failing" to keep his promise of creating 2 crore jobs every year. He pointed out that China was creating 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, whereas "the Modi government creates only 450 jobs a day."

70% reservation

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah vowed to increase reservation for the SCs, STs and other backward classes to 70% from the existing 50%. "Only we can do this and we will do it," he said.

Rahul stops speech for 'Azaan'

Well into speech at the tribal rally in Deodurg, Rahul abruptly stopped talking by pushing the mike away when he heard an 'Azaan' for the noon prayer from a nearby mosque. He did not speak for nearly three minutes. The Azaan is the Islamic call to worship, whose recitation is amplified through loud speakers. Rahul resumed only after he was sure that the 'Azaan'' was over.