By not inviting PM Narendra Modi, Congress proves Nehru event a family affair, says Jitendra Singh

JAMMU: Terming the function organised by Congress to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru as "parivar ka function", Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said it was not bothered if the Congress did not extend invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Singh said that by not inviting him to attend the international conference scheduled to mark the anniversary of the country's first Prime Minister, Congress has proven that it was their "family affair."

"It is their family affair and it is their (Congress) prerogative to whom they want to invite and whom not, as it is their Parivar ka Function (Family Function). If there is a function in your family, why should I be bothered if you don't invite me in it," Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, said today.

He said that for the Modi-led government at the Centre, the "iconic leaders" were the pride of the country irrespective of their party affiliation.

"For us the iconic leaders do not belong to one party, for us they are nation's icons, that is why the Narendra Modi government is officially commemorating the birth anniversary of Pt Nehru for five days" Singh Said.

He said the Union government would also commemorate the birth anniversary of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

"It is for the first time that any Union government is officially commemorating the birth anniversary of our first Prime Minister, we would also be commemorating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi" he said.

He said the Centre also commemorated the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel who was a Congress leader.

To commemorate the 125 th birth anniversary of the first prime minister of the country, the Congress would be holding an international conference in New Delhi on Nov. 17 and 18, to which the party has not invited Modi.

"We don't have time for petty politics as we have to clear the stagnation of the past 60 years. We don't see our leaders through the party prism, only congress can do this," he said.

He also claimed that it was for the first time in the history of independent India that due recognition was given to the iconic leaders like Shama Prashad Mukherjee and Deen Dayal Upadhya.