Government using news plants to divert attention: Congress on Karti Chidambaram issue

NEW DELHI: Unfazed by the AIADMK paralysing Parliament on the Karti Chidambaram issue, Congress today hit back at the government accusing it of using news plants to divert attention from the JNU row and the Rohith Vemula issue.

"A jittery Modi government is using the modus operandi of news plants to divert Parliament's attention from its now exposed anti-Dalit/anti-student policies."

"The attempt is obviously to distract attention from HRD Minister Smriti Irani misleading Parliament and the disappointing Budget which is inflationary," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.

Noting that Karti, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, as also the company concerned have issued a statement, Surjewala said he is a private individual.

Besides, he said that even in the past when ED and government had raided the offices of Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited and others, it was emphasised many times in a row now that Karti is neither a shareholder nor a director in the company.

Insisting that the company concerned has repeatedly asserted that it is Income Tax, Registrar of Companies and RBI compliant, he said Narendra Modi heads the Union government while AIADMK is in power in Tamil Nadu. If there is any evidence of any irregularity, they are entitled to take action as they deem appropriate.

"Of course, if it is a political battle against P Chidambaram on account of vendetta, it should be fought in the arena of politics instead of hiding behind insinuations spinned by the political handlers of investing agency," Surjewala added.

AIADMK members today disrupted proceedings in both Houses of Parliament demanding action against Karti on the Aircel- Maxis issue.