Chidamabaram issue to divert attention from Smriti remarks: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday alleged that an effort is being made to distract attention of parliament from the breach of privilege notice against Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani by targeting former home minister P. Chidambaram.

In a statement, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the Narendra Modi government is "jittery" over allegations concerning its actions at the Hyderabad and Jawaharlal Nehru universities and "attempt is obviously to distract attention from Smriti Irani misleading the parliament".

Referring to AIADMK members raising the issue concerning Karti, son of Chidambaram, Surjewala said if there is any evidence of any irregularity, the Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu and the Narendra Modi central government are entitled to take action they deem appropriate.

He said Karti is a private individual and has issued a statement stating his position.

"Of course, if it is a political battle against P. Chidambaram on account of vendetta, it should be fought in the arena of politics," Surjewala said.

AIADMK members disrupted both houses of parliament on Tuesday targeting Chidambaram and Karti.

Soon after the Lok Sabha met for the day, AIADMK members trooped near the speaker's podium shouting "We want justice" and waving newspapers which claimed that Karti had invested in real estate across the world.

Slogans were also raised by AIADMK members in the Rajya Sabha demanding action against the Chidambarams.