Focus on issues, Congress tells leaders

The Congress on Friday urged party leaders to focus on issues facing the country rather than making controversial statements.

"Those leaders, who are worried, shall focus more on the problems of the country and misrule of the government. The spirit of India would not change because of a prime minister's dictatorship; nothing will break India's spirit. The prime minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party have failed," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

This reiteration came from the party forum following senior party leader Digvijaya Singh's attack on the government. Singh recently said that the ruling party in the government is promoting religious extremism in the country like former Pakistani dictator Zia-ul-Haq.

The Congress leaders have been making controversial statements deflecting from the issues related to the country. Before Digvijaya Singh's comment, Shashi Tharoor also embarrassed the party by his controversial 'Hindu Pakistan' remark.

Surjewala refused to comment further on the Shashi Tharoor controversy and Hamid Ansari's comment.

Surjewala however took a dig at the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asking him to write a Facebook post on who is the Finance Minister between him and Piyush Goyal.

"I would request Mr Arun Jaitley to write a Facebook post to make it clear as to who is the Finance Minister of the country. Is it him or Piyush Goyal?" asked the Congress spokesperson.

Speaking on the Jayant Sinha's challenge to Rahul Gandhi, for an open debate over garlanding eight convicts in a lynching case, Surjewala said that BJP needs to purify their soul.

Commenting on American President Donald Trump visit to India he said, "We welcome all the guests with an open heart."

On the Jammu and Kashmir situation, he said the BJP-PDP made an alliance as they were power-hungry. But, it disrupted the peace and harmony in the state.

He condemned the prime minister for the recent attacks and death of security personnel, the instability of the Rupee, the problems faced by people due to the Goods and Service Tax.