SAD calls Cong deceitful; AAP doubts PM’s promises

New Delhi, July 20

Supplementing the Modi government’s fusillade against the Congress during the debate on the no-confidence motion against it in the Lok Sabha, NDA’s Punjab ally Shiromani Akali Dal said the grand old party was “deceitful”, “undemocratic”, and not to be trusted.

On the other hand, AAP’s Bhagwant Singh Mann supported the motion and questioned PM Modi as regards unfulfilled promises, including those on providing two crore jobs to the youth and ensuring remunerative prices for agricultural produce.

Prem Singh Chandumajra of the SAD said: “The Congress practises the policy of divide and betrayal.” It withdrew support to the governments headed by Chandra Shekhar, HD Deve Gowda and Naresh Gujral midway. After Independence, it acted against Akali veteran Master Tara Singh by getting him arrested.

Countering the Congress for questioning democratic credentials of the BJP-led NDA, Chandumajra said it misused Article 356 of the Constitution to topple the Akali government in Punjab several times and the EMS Namboodiripad-led Communist government in Kerala.

He said the Congress had been reduced to such a pitiable position that it had to depend on the TDP, the mover of the no-confidence motion, for its politics.

He cautioned the TDP not to repose faith in the Congress. Raising questions on Congress president Rahul Gandhi hugging Prime Minister after his speech during the debate, Chandumajra asked why he did not extend the same courtesy to family members of martyred soldiers or farmers who committed suicide.

He said the Congress perpetrated Operation Bluestar just for the sake of power and its government tried to shield principal accused in the anti-Sikh riots by closing the CBI pursued cases. He named former Union Minister and Sajjan Kumar in that regard. In contradiction, he lauded the NDA government for constituting an SIT to expedite such cases and for providing monetary relief to the Sikhs who were illegally detained in the Jodhpur jail during Bluestar. — TNS

No-confidence motion

TDP, TRS spar in House

New Delhi: The no-trust debate witnessed a war of words between TDP and TRS members after the former termed the process of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 “undemocratic” and “unscientific”. TDP lawmaker Jayadev Galla said the residual state had been denied justice since the bifurcation was undemocratic. Taking exception to Galla’s comment, TRS members rushed to the Speaker’s podium, raising “Jai Telangana” slogans. They urged the Speaker to expunge the word “undemocratic”. IANS

AAP backs Rahul’s gesture

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came out in support of Congress chief  Rahul Gandhi hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, saying: “Parliament is the biggest temple of democracy where policies should be opposed, not individuals.” Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the PM often hugged heads of foreign countries. “So what is wrong about Rahul Gandhi hugging him in Parliament?” PTI

TMC: Three Modis looting India

New Delhi: Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “travelling salesman” and his economic policies a “disaster”, TMC member Saugata Roy said: “Three Modis are looting the country.” Speaking during the no-confidence motion, Roy, without naming anyone, said the only person who had gained from BJP’s economic policies is “one Mota Bhai... I will tell you about the Modi syndicate — Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Bade (big) Modi, whose name I am not taking.” IANS

Farmers back Oppn move

New Delhi: Hundreds of farmers and activists marched on the national capital roads in protest against the Modi government, alleging it had made “false claims” on the minimum support price for various crops. A protest march by the All-India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, that began from Mandi House, ended in a meeting at Parliament Street. PTI

Shiv Sena should stop the farce of enjoying the fruits of power and also speaking against the government... It’s so desperate for power that instead of voting in favour of the no-trust motion, it’s running away.

Ashok Chavan, Maha Cong President

Oppn has no concrete reason to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. They are scared of Modi’s popularity and hence are trying to form a federal front to get to power.

Rakesh Singh, BJP

The people of Odisha have witnessed injustice by the UPA for 10 years and NDA for four. The debate would not be fruitful for Odisha... We are walking out. 

Bhratruhari Mahtab, BJD

Be it the questions raised on finance policies, unemployment or the exports going down or banks being destroyed, you have only one answer --  Hindu-Muslim, Bharat-Pakistan, Shamshan-Kabristan.

Dinesh Trivedi, Trinamool Congress

In one of his election speeches, PM had slammed Congress for only saving the child (Telangana) and letting the mother (AP) die. He had said, had he been in power, he would have saved both... we were overwhelmed and supported him... But nothing has happened till now.

Jayadev Galla, TDP