THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Youth Congress workers on Saturday waved black flags at Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, who arrived here to launch Raksha Bandhan celebrations and the PM's insurance schemes. Ms Smriti Irani told reporters at the airport that Congress leaders should not hit the streets on the Sushma Swaraj issue but discuss them in Parliament.
A day after Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hit out against Ms. Swaraj over the Lalit Modi issue, Ms. Irani said the Congress was making baseless allegations against the External Affairs Minister.
The Congress was running away from a debate in Parliament. She said it was unfortunate that baseless accusations were being raised for political gains.
“The Congress should come to the Lok Sabha and participate in the debate. Sushmaji has raised an open challenge in Parliament to come forward with documents proving that she has committed any wrong,” said Ms. Irani.
Later at the public function, Ms. Irani said the NDA government had fulfilled its promises within a year of coming to power. “Congress promised to bring an IIT to Kerala which was never fulfilled.
But, BJP government announced an IIT in its first budget itself and it has started functioning,” said Ms. Irani. At the function held at Central Stadium here where she launched the three social security schemes announced by Mr Narendra Modi, Ms. Irani also said that New Delhi will host a programme on the model of the State School Youth Festival in December.
State BJP president V. Muraleedharan, national executive council member P. K. Krishnadas and other senior leaders also attended the programme. Mr Muraleedharan gifted her with an Onakodi as well as an Onavillu.
