Separate line to airport under consideration: Venkaiah Naidu

He added that when a new government comes in, political appointments should go out with the outgoing government

With the NDA government’s move to ease out several governors appointed by the UPA coming under attack from the opposition, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said, all political appointees should resign voluntarily in the interest of the “system”.

“It will be in the interest of the system that all the political appointees resign voluntarily. I’m using the term all the political appointees and there is no need to expand it or explain it further,” Naidu said while responding to a query on reported pressure being mounted on the UPA gubernatorial appointees to step down following change of regime at the Centre.

Naidu, also the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, hit back at the Congress which had flayed NDA’s move, for “preaching” and accused it of “double standard politics” and maintained that “political appointments must go with the political establishment”.

“Some of our Congress friends are preaching. I would request them to check their consciousness and find out what they have done. If they do it — good, if others expect them to do it — bad; is this the right way? Such double standards politics is not good for any one.”

“There is no need to make it a big issue, once the new government comes in those who are on political appointments should go with the (outgoing) government. Isn’t it a respectable way for the smooth functioning of the government rather than making it controversial;Political appointments must go with the political establishment, that’s my view,” he told reporters after reviewing Metro work here.

Asked whether BJP would not appoint those with political background as Governors, Naidu said “There is no rule that politicians cannot be appointed, if he is a sincere person, Constitution abiding person you can’t debar him. Let the country have a consensus and say no politician at all, you can’t put standards to BJP alone.”

Asked about the fate of pending anti-corruption bills drafted by the previous government, Naidu said, “I did not hear anything anti-corruption by the Congress party or their leader mentioned (Rahul Gandhi) for nine years, nine months, twenty nine days.”

“We have our own agenda to tackle corruption, we have shown it in our first meeting itself when we took up the issue of black money... so nobody needs to advise us in this regard, from people who slept over on the issue for years together,” he said.

Naidu also said connectivity to Airport and Electronics City through Metro is vital for easing the traffic congestion in the city. Speaking to reporters after inspecting Metro work here, he said, “Connecting Airport and connecting Electronics City will be vital to ease the congestion in the city." Naidu said he would discuss pending issues with his ministry officials. "Whatever the permissions and approvals are needed from the government of India, they will be given."

Stating that the phase one of Bangalore metro rail project would be completed by September 2015, he said "....I'm confident that they (metro officials) will adhere to it."

He slammed the Congress for protesting against the government on various issues.

He said, “I want to give a small advice to my Congress friends who are shouting slogans against price rise, temperature rise, Delhi power issue.... you were ruling in Delhi till the recent past, your supporting party (AAP) has ruled Delhi for four months, whereas we have come only 15 days back.”

“Can anybody generate power in 15 days? Is it possible? Do you have the audacity to come and demonstrate in front of my party office,” he questioned Congress, while requesting them to be gracious enough to understand the man date of people and accept it.