Kushwaha was refused entry into Congress, claims Rahul

Taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party over the induction of tainted former Bahujan Samaj Party minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed that he wanted to join the Congress after being sacked by Chief Minister Mayawati, but the party closed the doors on him.

Addressing election meetings in Gorapkhpur, the All India Congress Committee general secretary also said the BJP has inducted a person who is part of the "corruption race" in the state just days after their campaign against graft.

Rahul said the Congress clearly told Kushawa, who is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the National Rural Health Mission scam, that the party will not induct any tainted politician but the BJP gladly took him.

"The Youth Congress exposed him (Kushwaha) and his corrupt practices through an RTI (application). He approached the Congress and pleaded to take him in the party and save him. But, we refused and said, we would not save you. You will be sent to jail," Rahul said.

The BJP has come under attack over the induction of Kushwaha after his residence was raided by the CBI in connection with the NRHM scam.