Don't fall prey to opposition tactics by making provocative statements, BJP MPs told

NEW DELHI: Asking BJP MPs to not make any provocative statements, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today cautioned them against falling "prey" to the opposition tactics as the government came under attack in Parliament over controversial statements of its ministers and party leaders.

In the first parliamentary party meeting during the Winter session, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister told the MPs that such provocative statements are being used by anti-BJP forces to deflect the attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda.

"Naidu called upon BJP MPs to not fall prey to the tactics of opposition and not to get provoked and make any provocative statements," a BJP statement said, adding that he asserted that killing of innocents in the name of religion or caste is a "blot on society" and has to be condemned "fiercely".

Some Union ministers and party leaders have been accused by the opposition of making controversial statements over the Dadri lynching and protests by a section of intellectuals and artistes against the alleged rise in intolerance.

A debate on the issue has been taken up in Parliament.

"MPs were told to speak with understanding and decorum. There is a need to avoid controversy.

"At a time when the Prime Minister is pushing ahead with his development agenda, many people are unable to digest it and any misstep will allow anti-BJP forces to work it to their benefit. We should avoid making provocative statements," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, briefing reporters after the meeting.

Naqvi said members were also briefed about the recent elections, including in Bihar where BJP suffered a big defeat, and the need to work to spread the party ideology was stressed.

Stressing on the government's commitment to the passage of the GST bill, which is stuck in Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley informed BJP members about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative in holding discussions with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resolve the impasse.