NEW DELHI: A day after Congress delegation called on President Ram Nath Kovind seeking his intervention over the Delhi riots, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday hit out at Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other party leaders saying they should not try to preach “raj dharma” to the government as they themselves have been inciting people with provocative statements.
At a press conference, Prasad said, “Please dont preach us raj dharma. Your record is full of violations, twists and turns for plain and simple vote-bank politics. Look at yourself in the mirror of raj dharma.” He accused the main opposition party of politicking when time was to make collective bid towards restoring peace and normalcy in the national capital.
Congress functionaries, led by Sonia Gandhi, met Kovind on Thursday and demanded Union home minister Amit Shah's resignation for “abdication of duty” during the communal violence in northeast Delhi. Gandhi had reminded the Centre for its 'rajdharma' and protecting people of all faiths.
Prasad referred to Sonia Gandhi's “ aar paar ki ladai (fight to the finish)” remark at an anti-CAA rally at Ramlila Maidan here in December and asked the Congress chief to explain if such remarks do not constitute provocation.
He accused Congress of changing its stand on granting citizenship to persecuted minorities from the neighbouring countries. “Manmohan Singh had demanded citizenship rights for people displaced due to religion. Ashok Gehlot had written letters to Shivraj Patil and even Advaniji, both then home ministers, that citizenship should be given to minorities from other countries,” Prasad said questioning the change in stance.
“Sonia ji tell us what kind of 'rajdharma' is this that everyone has backtracked? What we have done your government could not do in 10 years… If Congress does something, it is good. But if we do the same thing, they provoke the people. What type of 'rajdharma' is this?” Prasad asked.
The minister accused Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi of making provocative statements saying the opposition party is so frustrated by its defeat that it could stoop to any level for “vote-bank” politics. “Congress should act responsibly for maintaining peace and harmony in the country,” he said.
He said the Citizenship Amendment Act was implemented through constitutional means. “CAA was passed in both the Houses after extensive deliberations. “You had also supported it in the past Read More – Source
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