BJP hits back at Congress, says Govt. has nothing to offer

New Delhi, Nov. 24 (ANI): With the Congress Party slamming the opposition for making statements justifying the general public's anger and actions on issues such as inflation and black money that eventually led to the attack on Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit back at the ruling party saying the government has nothing to offer to the common man and is unable to understand the country's mood.

"First of all, we condemn what happened with Sharad Pawar and there ought to have been proper preventive police action. But this kind of comment by the Congress spokesperson is completely irresponsible. Yes, the price rise is now continuing for the last three and a half years. And Congress, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and the UPA chairman have nothing to offer at all. We don't even know when it would be controlled," said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.

"But are the people of the country not in deep pain and distress because of price rise for the last three and a half years. That is the crucial question. And now, the Congress Government has almost thrown its hands in the air, we cannot do anything about it. Gas, petroleum products, diesel products, milk, even the life of a middle class people has become very difficult today. That is the matter; the government needs to understand the pain, the distress," he added.

Congress Party earlier today termed unfortunate the statements made by the BJP leaders and spokespersons justifying the general public's anger and actions on issues such as inflation and black money etc.

"Whatever has happened, it is very unfortunate, that boy should have been arrested. The investigating agency should try to find out the truth. What is even more unfortunate is major political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party making statements through its spokespersons and leaders, warning that the public is justified in coming out onto the streets, shouting slogans, attacking politicians, leaders on issues such as price rise etc. These statements, I feel, are responsible for this (incident) happening," said Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi said.

Sharad Pawar was slapped by a man named Harvinder Singh at the NDMC auditorium in New Delhi today. He was later taken into custody by the security guards at the scene.

The man is currently in custody of the Delhi Police, who are questioning him.

Harvinder Singh, a resident of Rohini, is the same man who had assaulted former telecom minister Sukh Ram last Saturday.

"These politicians have been causing nothing but trouble in the country. They only know how to make speeches but never act on what they say. They deserve to be attacked. I will continue to attack politicians. I am the same person who attacked Sukh Ram last week and I will continue doing this. I do not regret any of my actions," he said, claiming that Sharad Pawar is responsible for the misery of the people and the high prices of essential commodities

To a poser on the House not functioning properly, Prasad said: "Whose responsibility it is to run the House. We have got provision under the rule for adjournment motion. We moved that, the Congress reluctant to go so. We want an effective censor of the government in terms of voting and we know who stands where, the government is reluctant to do so, why."

"It is the Parliament, where we have got the right to censor the government, right to criticise the government and also ensure the debate has proper effective consequences in terms of vote. If the rule permits and we wish to raise the most important concerns of the people of the country, and the Congress is reluctant. Sorry, the obligation to run the House is upon the government or the Congress Party," he added.

Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned for the day with the opposition continuously pressing for discussion on price rise and other issues. (ANI)