 "Congress indulging in negative politics, says Modi")
At separate public events in Chandigarh and Rishikesh, the PM targeted the Congress for disrupting Parliament, saying there was a “big difference” between negative politics and playing the role of an effective Opposition. He said such politics stemmed from the party’s inability to accept its defeat at the hands of a ‘tea-seller’.
The PM said the Congress might not win a single seat in the next Lok Sabha elections if it continued such politics. “Beyond the Lok Sabha is Jan Sabha (people’s parliament) and that is why I am expressing my views here, in front of you,” he said.
In recent days, senior ministers have harshly criticised the Congress for blocking the goods and services tax constitution amendment.
After reports that his Chandigarh visit caused much inconvenience to residents, the PM expressed regret and ordered a probe. Schools were ordered to be closed and families faced difficulties in cremating their dead during the PM’s visit to inaugurate a new airport, an address at the 34th convocation of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research and a public rally. The visit also led to traffic snarls.
“The inconvenience caused to citizens in Chandigarh, especially shutting of schools due to my visit, was totally avoidable. An inquiry will be held and responsibility fixed for the inconvenience caused to the people,” the PM said.
Brigadier (retd) Devinder Singh, who fought in the Kargil war in 1999 against Pakistan, was reportedly among those who couldn’t reach the cremation ground because of the VIP movement. His 24-year-old son was killed in a road accident on Thursday. Singh was reported to have cremated his son in Mohali nearby since the main crematorium in Chandigarh was not available.
Congress Communication chief Randeep Surjewala described the PM as a "sahab and not a sevak" for disrupting normal life in Chandigarh. "There was VIP racism in the city because of the PM visit. Schools were shut, cremation ground was shut off," he said.