Charges against Rijiju part of Cong's spit & run tactics: Naidu

He said the the Power Ministry has already given a clarification and Congress does not even know that the project was sanctioned when it was in power at the Centre. "Let them (Opposition) raise the is

By PTI

Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 15:36 [IST]

New Delhi, Dec 14: With Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha witnessing uproar over the controversy involving Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, his cabinet colleague M Venkaiah Naidu today rubbished the allegations levelled against him, saying it was part of Congress' "spit and run" tactics.

He said the the Power Ministry has already given a clarification and Congress does not even know that the project was sanctioned when it was in power at the Centre. "Let them (Opposition) raise the issue.

Let there be a discussion. Clarification has already been given by the Power Ministry... The money... the contract was given during the previous Congress government. They do not even know that. Then who are they accusing (I) cannot understand," Naidu told reporters on the sidelines of "Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development" here.

He said Rijiju only "forwarded" the request of "some people who did not get the money" for a hydro project. "How is it a scam? What is the specific role (of Rijiju)... It is a false accusation," he said. "This is the tactics of the Opposition, specially that of Congress. Spit and run. That is what they are trying to do with Rijiju also.

Let the truth come out. Everything will become clear," the Minister said. Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day due to ruckus in the House, while Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 1400 hours following Opposition uproar over controversy involving Rijiju, who is accused of recommending release of held up payments to a contractor, his cousin, for a 600-MW power project in Arunachal Pradesh.

Congress yesterday demanded the sacking of Rijiju alleging his "involvement" in the "Rs 450-crore Arunachal power scam" and said the Prime Minister's "tall claims" of bringing transparency have "fallen flat".

PTI