BJP questions Rahul Gandhi's silence' on rape-murder of Dalit girl in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "silence" on the brutal rape and murder of a Kerala Dalit law student and said he has "no time" to visit her family just because it happened in a state ruled by his party.

Attacking the Congress leader, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said Rahul "politicised" the suicide of Rohith Vemula by twice visiting Hyderabad and questioned if he had done so as the state was ruled by a non-Congress government.

"The student was raped and murdered in Kerala. Rahul has no time to visit because his party is ruling the state. He visits Hyderabad twice to politicise students suicide.

Read: Kerala rape case: Pervert held for Dalit law student's murder

"Kerala people are asking why when a student and a Dalit girl was brutally raped and murdered Rahul is not visiting Kerala. They are reminded that he visited Hyderabad twice. Is it only because it's a state ruled by non-Congress government?," he said at an election rally in Chelakara in Thrissur district.

Naidu also attacked former Defence Minister A K Antony for his "BJP-free Kerala" remark, saying Antony wants "corruption to continue" in the poll-bound state whereas BJP wants a "corruption-free Kerala".

Read: Kerala rape case: Locals hostile, probe slackens

"We want corruption free Kerala and Shri A K Antony wants BJP free Kerala. May be he wants corruption to continue. Congress and Communists are worried about BJP gaining ground in Kerala. Beware they may come together and exchange votes," he also tweeted.

Attacking the previous UPA government, Naidu said "most dirty scams had happened during the time of Mr. Clean 1 Sri Manmohan Singh and Mr Clean 2 Sri AK Antony."

He also took a dig at the "understanding" between the Left and Congress in West Bengal assembly elections, saying

"Congress and Left!!! Bengal mein dosti, Kerala mein kusti. Yeah kya hai?"