'Congress showed small heart by not inviting Modi to Nehru event'

Gandhinagar, Nov 13: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said Congress has shown its "small-heartedness" by not inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Congress showed their small heart. Nehruji was India's first PM and remained in power for 17 years. Modiji is the current PM. It is sad that when you (Congress) are planning a programme on Nehruji's 125th birth anniversary, you don't want to invite the current PM," said Naidu, who was here for a state government function.

Naidu also vented out his anger on the explanation claimed to be given by Congress leadership for denying invitation to Modi.

"In their explanation for not inviting Modi, Congress said that Modi's ideology is different from Nehru's. I want to say that everyone is having their own ideologies, that is why different (political) parties exists in India. But, they need to understand that PM is ultimately a PM," he told reporters.

"Talking of ideologies, I want to tell them that their own ideology has been rejected by people in elections. We don't want to rake up that issue again and again. We all need to work together for the people and India," he said.

On the recent political developments in Maharashtra and suspension of Congress MLAs after they allegedly injured the Governor, Naidu said Congress couldn't digest its defeat.

"Even after losing, Congress is not able to digest its defeat. You can see what they have done in Maharashtra yesterday. After such a miserable defeat in a state like Maharashtra, which was once a citadel of Congress, now they are pushed to third or fourth position," the BJP leader said.

"Further, the outgoing Chief Minister sits on the steps of the Assembly and obstructs the Governor's entry. I felt very sad. I never expected such a behaviour from a person like Prithviraj Chavan, who is rejected by people. If people have given mandate to BJP, then have some patience," he said.

"Let the government function and raise your issue at appropriate time. But, why to do it on the very first day? Attack on Governor is very unfortunate and I want the Congress to publicly apologise for that," Naidu said.

Some Shiv Sena and Congress legislators had yesterday tried to stop Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao from entering the Vidhan Bhawan to deliver his address and handed over to him a memorandum complaining the "unconstitutional" manner in which the vote of confidence motion was passed.

The Congress legislators including, former CM Prithviraj Chavan, had squatted on the stairs of the Vidhan Bhawan building and blocked the Governor's entry.

PTI