As the Congress took to the streets, the BJP staged its own protest against the Opposition party on the Parliament premises on the AgustaWestland issue.
Describing the ‘Save Democracy’ rally held by the Congress as “ridiculous”, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the Opposition party is resorting to such tactics only to divert public attention from the AugustaWestland chopper case.
“Today Congress is demonstrating outside the Parliament and levelling allegations against us. This is ridiculous and they have no moral right to say this (allegation against the NDA Government),” Naidu told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai.
The BJP protested at the Gandhi statue in Parliament over the Congress’ involvement in the VVIP chopper scam besides the march. Central BJP ministers, veteran party leaders and MPs were seen holding placards criticizing alleged diversionary tactics of the opposition party.
Addressing a Press conference later, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it has been a practice with the Congress that whenever an “earnest investigation” is done, it treats it as anti-national and an attack on democracy.
“If a case of corruption is being probed honestly, then how does it become anti-nationalIJ The fight is not with your (Gandhi) family but corruption. Congress should answer why does trail of all corruption cases lead to youIJ A series of scams has become a benchmark of Congress government, “ he said.
“Every attempt was made to put obstacles in the AgustaWestland probe. Regardless of what Congress says, this government is going to prosecute (accused) in a fair manner. Probe will be done in a fairest manner and promptly,” he told the media.
Friday’s march was a “save family” campaign of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, he said.