DDCA row: Jaitley has an impeccable character, does not need certificate from anyone, says BJP
New Delhi: BJP on Monday stood firmly behind Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, whose resignation has been demanded by Congress and the Left over his role in the alleged financial irregularities in the DDCA, saying he has an "impeccable character".
"The party is solidly behind him," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, extending support to him, who is under attack from the Opposition over the charges.
The allegation pertains to irregularities in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) during Jaitley's 13-year tenure as its chief, which the Finance Minister has strongly rubbished.
"Arun Jaitley does not need a certificate from anyone. He has an impeccable character. If somebody is trying to spit on the Sun, it will fall on them," he said.
Naidu claimed the allegations by AAP is a bid to divert the attention of people from the corruption by its officer as "they are worried that it may reach them". He said Jaitley will "not take things lying down" and has thus filed defamation cases against those making "wild allegations".
Naidu, when asked if the party was contemplating any action against Azad for making allegations in the DDCA issue and taking a dig on Jaitley in this connection, however, however, did not reply.
"The party president is seized of the matter. The party will take care of it. It is not to be discussed in Parliament. President will see and he is seized of the matter," he said.
Naidu, who also hold the portfolio of Urban Development, said ministers in the past have done "many things" or spoken but the Prime Minister has never been dragged in like being done now.
The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister also made a fervent appeal to Rajya Sabha members to help in passage of the pending bills, Lok Sabha has passed many bills, since there is no possibility of extension of Parliament "as of now".
Naidu further said he has met Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, besides former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and have sought their cooperation in this regard. He, however, lamented that "it is a sorry state of affairs that sincere party workers have to clarify", claiming all the allegations levelled now are "absurd". He added that Parliament was not interested in discussing cricket in Delhi and government has nothing to do with it.
Naidu also made an appeal to Rajya Sabha members to pass 17 pending bills, as only four have been cleared, including three passed today without any discussion. "I have appealed to Rajya Sabha to pass the pending bills. Lok Sabha has passed 13 bills so far after discussion and people are comparing. Please cooperate and see to it that the pending bills are passed," he said.
He also expressed some hope on the GST issue, saying except for one all their other issues stood resolved as there were objections to putting a cap on taxes in the Constitution itself.
