Congress allegations against NDA ministers baseless: Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday rubbished Congress allegations concerning some new ministers in the Narendra Modi government, saying that the charges were "baseless" and the opposition party should debate about the quality of governance.

"The entire charge of the Congress party is baseless," Jaitley told media persons here.

Jaitley was responding to Congress general secretary Ajay Maken's remarks in which he questioned the rationale behind the Sunday's cabinet expansion and asked for the resignation of "corrupt" ministers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted 21 new ministers in his team Sunday, taking the total number of ministers to 66.

"During the UPA (United Progressive Alliance government) rule, the prime minister never had the last word. In the NDA, the last word is of PM," Jaitley said.

He noted that the prime ministers check credentials and facts concerning the ministers.

Referring to allegations against Minister of State for Human Resource Development Ram Shankar Katheria, Jaitley said that he was a party MP from Agra and case against him related to a political agitation.

The BJP leader accused Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh of slapping cases against BJP workers.

Referring to allegations against Minister of State for Science and Technology Y.S. Chowdary, Jaitley said the Telugu Desam Party MP had got the outstanding amount against his name restructured from a bank and there was a settlement.

Pointing to allegations against Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh, Jaitley said there was no pending inquiry against him.

"Baseless allegations are not expected of a national political party," Jaitley said.

Jaitley attacked the Congress and alleged that the UPA functioned as a "non-performing government" and there were controversies about all its major decisions.

He said the Congress should debate the governance it gave with that being given by National Democratic Alliance government.

Jaitley also dismissed Congress criticism about the size of the council of ministers and said the prime minister had confined the numbers "to the minimum requirement".

Jaitley said that when BJP had levelled allegations against some UPA ministers in 2004, they were facing cases.