Congress to boycott PM Narendra Modi in House over raincoat remark

NEW DELHI: The Congress leadership has formally announced its decision to “boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament” in protest against his ‘raincoat’ remark against Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. AICC spokesperson Anand Sharma said Congress would coordinate with other Opposition parties and carry out this boycott of the PM in both Houses.

Congress MPs also staged protests in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday, demanding Modi’s apology for his remarks. Sharma said the boycott of PM will start when budget session resumes on March 9.

Asked at the AICC briefing when the boycott of PM would start, Sharma said: “Now we (session) have gone into recess and we will be coordinating our position very closely. Do not worry, let us meet again on March 9 in Parliament… This story which the prime minister has scripted, we will conclude. That final chapter will be written by us and the prime minister may note that. I am making it very clear.”

Earlier, Congress leaders held a meeting with Left parties, JDU, DMK and SP MPs on the issue. Sharma said: “The PM is intolerant to criticism, lives in denial, is arrogant and has lowered the dignity of his office.”