Cong doesn't know how to politically deal with Modi: BJP

Charging Congress with indulging in "vindictive politics" on the snooping case allegedly involving Narendra Modi, BJP today said the Centre's announcement that it may appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the matter is constitutionally not permissible.

In an article, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley expressed surprise at Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's remarks that the Centre is considering the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry on the snooping case when such a commission, appointed by the state government, is already functional.

"Notwithstanding the constitutional impermissibility of the central government appointing a Commission on the issue, the Congress Party has merely reaffirmed that it is not concerned with the problems facing the country. It believes that petty vindictive politics alone suits its modus operandi," he said.

In the wake of the expose about the alleged snooping, the Gujarat government had appointed a Commission of Inquiry headed by a retired judge. The body is probing the case.

Jaitley maintained that the family of the woman- who was put under surveillance by Gujarat Police- has already clarified that it was a security measure on their own request.

"Congress has not realized the challenges that it faces. It has no answers to reviving the economy or cleansing itself from the allegations of corruption. It further does not know how to politically deal with Narendra Modi," he said.

He alleged that the Congress believes Modi can be politically countered "either by the CBI or by outlandish comments of its leaders". It should rather work for strengthening its organisation and building up the charisma of its leaders, he said.

"Shinde's statement that the Centre is considering the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry on the alleged snooping charges, only establishes that the Congress Party has failed to learn the lessons from its electoral defeat," he said.