Congress unable to digest NDA regime's growing popularity: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday rubbished all allegations levelled against BJP leaders and said he was of the view that a disruptive Congress Party is unable to digest the growing popularity of the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prasad said the government has repeatedly said that it is ready for discussion on all issues, including Lalitgate and the Vyapam scam.

"Sushma ji is ready to make a statement, she is ready to answer to all their questions. If Sonia ji and Rahul ji want to debate, they can. Our clear accusation is that this Congress Party is not able to digest the growing popularity of Narendra Modi-led government," Prasad said.

"We would once again appeal them today... There is no allegation against Sushma ji or Vasundhara ji or Shivraj ji. If the Congress Party plays the role of a constructive opposition, we welcome it. But if the Congress Party thinks that we will disrupt the proceedings in Parliament because the son of a poor is running the nation efficiently, then it is wrong," he added.

The Congress leaders today staged a protest over the suspension of 25 party MPs.

Leading the protest of lawmakers from both Houses at the Gandhi statue in Parliament House, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said, "In my opinion, parliamentary democracy is being murdered."

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also continued his tirade against the government, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should now listen to 'Hindustan ke Mann ki baat' instead of focusing on his 'Mann ki Baat'.

Gandhi also reiterated his charge against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for helping former IPL chief Lalit Modi, saying there is clear evidence that she has broken the law.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan yesterday suspended 25 Congress MPs for five consecutive sittings for "persistently obstructing" the House under ruling 374 (A), leading to outrage from various quarters.