Naina Devi MLA slams Negi for ‘baseless’ remarks about RSS, demands apology

The BJP has accused Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi of making “baseless and indecent” remarks about the RSS to divert attention from the postponement of elections to panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies in the state.

Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma, while addressing mediapersons, said he had moved an adjournment motion under Rule 67 on the first day of the winter session of the Assembly and the discussion on the election issue continued for two days. “The government could not present any substantive reason for not conducting the elections on time,” he claimed.

Sharma alleged that instead of responding to the core issue, the Revenue Minister deviated from the discussion and made remarks against the RSS, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP leaders. He said that such allegations were irrelevant for the debate and reflected “internal pressure and frustration” in the Congress and the government.

He defended the RSS and said that the minister’s allegations were “factually incorrect” and aimed at maligning a service-oriented organisation. He said that the Congress was uneasy as the RSS marked its centenary year with large-scale programmes being organised across the country. He added that the growing public participation in these events had unsettled the ruling party.

He said Negi should focus on reconstruction, relief and rehabilitation in disaster-affected areas instead of engaging in political controversies. He reiterated the BJP’s demand that the state government should stop “pressuring” the Election Commission and ensure timely elections to panchayati raj institutions and municipal bodies. He also called upon the minister to apologise to the Assembly and the people of the state for his remarks. — TNS