Congress adopting 'spit and run' tactic to divert attention from real issues in Parliament: Naidu

Blaming the opposition for disruptions in Parliament, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said on Thursday that the Congress was adopting "spit and run" tactic to divert attention from the real issues. "Everybody is sad. The way Parliament is not being allowed to function, every countrymen is sad. We are also sad. But what to do if some people deliberately and continuously not allowing Parliament to function. It is a known fact who is rushing to the Well of the House," Naidu told reporters outside Parliament.

He was asked to comment on BJP veteran LK Advani's comment in the Lok Sabha, "I feel like resigning", after a virtual washout of the winter session of Parliament over the demonetization issue. "Being a senior party man, Advaniji is also feeling like that," Naidu said.

On the AgustaWestland chopper scam, the Union minister said, "It is a serious issue and should be discussed in the House. Many MPs have given notices in both Houses for discussion on the issue because it is related to the nation's security. But Congress is not ready. They are bringing new issues to divert the attention from this." On Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's claim about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged corrupt practices, Naidu said, "If your allegations have substance, then discuss it in the House. It is a spit and run tactics. One day PM's name, next day Kiren Rijiju."

The opposition targeted Union Minister of State for Home Affairs for his alleged involvement in a Rs 450 crore scam in a power project in Arunachal Pradesh. Accusing the opposition of indulging in "dirty political tactics", he said, "Before this, they have made allegations against Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan. Now Prime Minister. These are all dirty political tactics. There is no substances in it."

"From day one, we are saying let's have debate. We also said PM will be present and intervene in the discussion and FM will offer solutions. Debate started in the Rajya Sabha. Three Congress MPs spoke, Left also participated. JD(U) also participated," he said.

"Now they are saying discuss farmers' plight. Who stopped you from discussing on the farmers issue all these days? I wanted to ask BSP and Sharad Yadav (of JD-U) that since the last 20 days why you did not raise farmers issue. Since elections are round the corner, you remember farmers now. All countrymen are watching it and people are not taking them seriously because of their strategy is to spit and run," he said.