Congress backs Azad, says "nothing wrong" in his comments

With the government demanding an apology from Ghulam Nabi Azad over his remarks in the Rajya Sabha yesterday on demonetisation, the Congress Party on Friday came out in defence of its Leader of Opposition and said that he has said nothing wrong but expressed pain over the causalities.

Congress leader Rajiv Shukla asserted that there was nothing wrong in Azad's assertion and said that there was no need for him to tender an apology.

"What was wrong in the comments of Ghulam Nabi Azad that he will apologise? He expressed pain over the deaths, which took place in the wake of demonetisation. There was nothing wrong in his comments," he added.

Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar yesterday demanded an apology from Azad for accusing the government of burdening the public with wrong policy and alleging that the deaths due to demonetisation are higher as compared to those killed in the Uri terror attack.

Javadekar while addressing the media here condemned Azad's comments and alleged that the anti-black money Congress is getting frustrated as such comments exude its anxiety.

"Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, must apologise to the people of the nation because he gave certificate to Pakistan by saying that the people who have died in the last few days are more than the people who died in Pakistan terror attack. This is absolutely atrocious and unacceptable," said Javadekar.

"This shows that how the Congress is completely anti the black money decision. They are unsettled and their frustration is getting exposed by such utterances," he added.

Meanwhile, the demonetisation war continued in the Parliament today with the Opposition seeking an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi while questioning his absence.

Amid chaotic scenes, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till Monday while the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2: 30 p.m.