Union Minister of Railways and former Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday attacked Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi stating that they were degrading the value of politics. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Union Minister of Railways and former Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday attacked Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi stating that they were degrading the value of politics.

Goyal said, "Congress is completely frustrated and have given up. They are attempting to degrade the level of the elections. Perhaps Rahul does not have the basic decency."

The Union Minister referred to Rahul Gandhi's attack on Prime Minister stating that Narendra Modi had booted out his guru L K Advani and did not practice the basic tenets of Hinduism.

Talking to ANI, Goyal said, “I feel the Congress does not know how to behave, which is why they are using such rubbish statements but the people of India will show them their position.

Goyal added, “Rahul Gandhi should worry about the country rather than playing dirty politics. They are totally exposed now and don’t have any option to escape.”

“They are frustrated and worried that they don't have any chance in the election. Even they had threatened the media they will make some alteration and limitations in media,” said Goyal.

 

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Sunday said a section of people wanted to "finish him off politically" by defeating his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency.

Reflecting the widening cracks in the ruling coalition, Kumaraswamy said he was relying "only on the JD(S) MLAs, MLCs and the sitting member of parliament L R Shivarame Gowda (in Mandya)."

Speaking to reporters in Udupi, the Chief Minister said he did not depend on the alliance partner, Congress in Mandya.

"Some Congress leaders are working and some are not working (in Mandya), but I am not upset with that. There is a section out to finish me off by defeating Nikhil Kumaraswamy. However, they don't have the support of the local people there," Kumaraswamy alleged.

He was responding to a query about the squabbling among coalition partners -- JD(S) and Congress.

"I have eight MLAs (in Mandya Lok Sabha constituency), three MLCs and the sitting Lok Sabha member (L R Shivarame Gowda) are there.. They will work.. I won't blame anybody."

Noting that the situation was 'adverse' for JDS in Mandya while there was reported discord among coalition partners in Tumakuru and Hassan also, he, however, said, "We will not let down the candidates of our alliance partner."

Three days ago, the JD(S) workers had openly rebelled against the Congress candidate for Mysore constituency, C H Vijayashankar and shouted pro-BJP slogans in the presence of Higher Education Minister and JD(S) MLA G T Deve Gowda.

The outburst was against the 'hostility' of Congress in Mandya and Hassan, the two constituencies where former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's grandsons Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna are contesting the Lok Sabha election.

Reacting to film actress Sumalatha Ambareesh's accusation that the JD(S) was playing 'mischief' in Mandya, the chief minister retorted it was she who has been running a negative campaign.

He also refuted her charge that the JD(S) fielded her three namesakes.

"How can I stop anyone from contesting the election? Kumaraswamy contended.

Sumalatha, the widow of popular Kannada actor and former MP from Mandya Ambareesh, is giving a tough time to Nikhil with the support of BJP and some disgruntled Congress and JD(S) leaders.