COIMBATORE: Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman challenged Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to visit Congress-ruling States and discuss the issues faced by the farmers there.
“Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been visiting several States across the country where they are in opposition and avoiding States where the party is in power. In Karanataka, large number of farmers committed suicide in the last two months. Why is Rahul Gandhi not meeting the family members of these farmers?” questioned the minister.
The minister who was in the city to attend a conference challenged Rahul Gandhi to visit Assam and Karanataka and reply to the queries of the farmers there.
Expresing displeasure over the Opposition stalling proceeding in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, she said, “We are ready to hold a discussion on Land Acquisition bill both in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. However, the Congress along other parties are not coming forward for the discussion,” said Nirmala Sitharaman.
Slamming Congress for its double stand on the Land Acquisition Bill, she said, “The Congress members are in the select committee and amendments have been made in the bill based on their suggestions. However in the parliament, they are opposing the bill,” she pointed out.
To a query on industries from Tamil Nadu moving to other states, the minister said, “So far, we didn’t receive any date to show that industrialists from Tamil Nadu are moving to other states to start business there. If it is true, then the ministry will take efforts to address what forced them towards that,” she said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting foreign countries for the welfare of public and the country. He is not wasting public money. Why everyone kept silent when the Congress was involving in corruption when it was in power,” added the minister.