“Jeb garm hone ka time hai”, Congress minister confesses in public

A day after the portfolios to the newly inducted Ministers in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet were announced, a shocking clarion call in favour of mass corruption has been made by one of Thackeray’s Minister, Yashomati Thakur. Thakur is the Women and Child Development Minister of Maharashtra and belongs to the Congress party.

Speaking at a campaign rally for the Zila Parishad polls in Amravati, Thakur humorously remarked, “We didn’t have a government before and now we have taken the oath of office… but we are yet to fill our pockets”, the MLA from Amravati district Yashomati Thakur said. She added, “The people in Opposition are fully stocked with money but if they come to your house (to offer money), then don’t say no. Why drive Lakshmi away (sic)?” 

She can be seen advising the people at her rally to accept money from the opposition (BJP), however, vote against them. To illustrate her remarks, she said that the BJP could offer huge amounts of money to voters as they have just been dislodged from power in the state. However, since the Maha Vikas Aghadi has only recently gained power, it will take some time for them to ‘warm their pockets.’ While many are shocked by this outright statement supporting corruption, one should not be surprised as corruption and Congress have always been synonymous to each other. 

Meanwhile, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya has lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra Election Commissioner, UPS Madan on behalf of his party, and said, “Maharashtra’s new minister Yashomati Thakur has started promising incentives to the people during the Zilla Parishad poll campaign. In her campaign in the Amravati region, she says that I have become a minister, now money will come. She told the people that they should welcome the offer of money for voting even if it comes at night. I have complained to the Maharashtra Election Commission in this regard and the Commission has assured me that a report is being sought from the concerned district officer.” 

It is a known fact that the Congress’ treasury has dried up steadily. It is very natural for the party to indulge in corruption, and it is not as if nobody is ever aware of their scandals aimed at filling their pockets. One does not need to be reminded of the massive scams which took effect during the UPA regime in the past. However, what is indeed surprising is that the NCP and Shiv Sena are also about to be partners in crime along with the Congress and are expected to reap the monetary benefits of Congress’ expertise in looting public money.