CHANDIGARH: Congress Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raking up the issue of land deal involving Robert Vadra, saying he seeks to "sensationalise and politicise everything" and accused him of violating Model Code of Conduct by using national broadcaster for connecting with people with 'Mann Ki Baat' on October 3.
"I am sure the government and administration of Haryana are fully conscious of the laws, a Model Code and what is permissible or not. Modi seeks to sensationalise and politicise everything," Congress spokesman and former Union Minister Anand Sharma told reporters here today.
He was responding to queries on Modi's statement in Hisar asking Election Commission to take note of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda approving the land deal between Robert Vadra and DLF, alleging that it was done hastily as the Congress faced "certain defeat" in the October 15 polls.
Sharma said Hooda and his ministerial colleagues were aware of the law and would give Modi a befitting reply.
"I trust them, and this is one version and there has to be another version," he said. Sharma also accused Modi of using national broadcaster AIR for his initiative 'Mann Ki Baat' on October 3.
"If there has been any violation or transgression during ongoing elections that has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself on October 3 when he chose to use national broadcaster AIR to speak to people when elections are on in the states of Maharashtra and Haryana," the former Commerce Minister said. Sharma further raised the issue of the live telecast of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's speech by national broadcaster Doordarshan on October 3.
"On the same day, another brazen transgression took place... a leader of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat's address on this particular day, which was symbolic for Hindutva forces, was telecast again on national broadcaster Doordarshan. I had not heard anything from Narendra Modi and his colleagues or the Elections Commission for that matter," he said.
"It is not only arrogance of power or concentration of power... the sense of balance has been lost," he said.
On the issue of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along international border and Line of Control in Jammu and Poonch sectors, the Congress spokesman described it as matter of "great national concern" and sought "effective approach" from the Centre towards Pakistan and China.
"This is a matter of great national concern. These provocations have been on and we have lost large number of lives both civilians and serving Army personnels. There is a need for effective, coherent approach if we talk about neighbourhood policy especially vis a vis with Pakistan and also absolute clarity when we are dealing with incursions on Indo-China border," he said.
He also took a jibe at the Central administration for not having a "part time" Defence Minister.
"...it has been a matter of concern that India has a part time Defence Minister and this is for the first time that India does not have Defence Minister. (Arun) Jaitley - I have respect for him... he is a Finance Minister of India and having an additional charge," he said.