JOIN USThe Congress and its allies are planning to corner the National Democratic Alliance government in Parliament on Wednesday on the alleged bugging of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s residence by demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress floor managers are also reaching out to allies to jointly raise the issue of reports of alleged bugging of homes of some senior Union ministers, which were stoutly denied by the BJP.
The recent reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General slamming the Gujarat government for extending “undue benefits” to certain companies, including Reliance Petroleum, Essar Group and Adani Group, have also given some fodder to the Congress against Modi.
These reports were tabled in the Gujarat Assembly last week and deal with issues during Modi’s tenure as the chief minister of the state.
“Are all ministers in the government and the Opposition being monitored? If that is so, then it is a serious threat to democracy,” Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Tuesday.
The Congress has also sought to punch holes in Modi’s claims of 24x7 power supply in Gujarat. AICC spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said the claims were contrary to the facts.
“Farmers are getting power supply for only eight hours every day. I have circulars of the Gujarat government to support my contention,” Gohil said, adding that he had referred the matter to the leaders of the Congress party in Parliament for moving a breach of privilege motion against Modi.
Congress leaders cited differences in statements issued by Gadkari after reports of snooping devices allegedly found at his residence appeared in a section of the media.
“The minister did not deny the reports on Sunday. He only called them speculative,” Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken said.
“As already stated, I reiterate that no devices were found at my residence anywhere,” Gadkari had said in a statement posted on social media on Monday.
Congress pointed out reports of alleged snooping on a lady architect in Gujarat during Modi’s tenure as chief minister to press its demand for a probe into the reported bugging of Gadkari’s residence.