Modi poor's messiah, Oppn does not want debate in Parl: Naidu

With an unrelenting Opposition stalling Parliament over demonetisation issue, the government today accused the rival parties of shying away from a debate, saying the public opinion is against them while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as the poor's "messiah".
Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar attacked the Opposition as both the Houses were adjourned for the day following protests with the former saying that Congress does not want Parliament to function.
He also rejected the opposition's demand in the Rajya Sabha that Modi be present in the House and in the Lok Sabha that the debate be taken up under a rule that entails voting, saying these are aimed at diverting from the issue and accused Congress of taking a "U-turn" after the Upper House ran yesterday.

It seems Congress and its allies do not want Parliament to function, he said.
"Modiji is very popular in the country and after this step he has become further...Immensely popular. The poor of the country are looking at Modi as their messiah...We cannot understand why the Congress and its friends are raising a ruckus (in Parliament).
"Congress is now saying that the PM should come only then the debate will go on, demanding JPC probe. There is an attempt to divert from the issue. It does not have facts and public opinion is turning against it. They do not want Parliament to function and seem to be moving in that direction," Naidu told reporters.

Congress was "rattled" by smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha yesterday as it was not interested in a fruitful discussion, he said.

Naidu accused the opposition parties of "abusing" the Prime Minister, saying they compared him with the likes of Hitler and Mussolini.
Modi has intervened during various debates in Parliament earlier, Naidu said but it cannot be a practice as the precedence is of ministers concerned replying on the behalf of government, he added.
Congress leaders are discussing the issue outside Parliament just for the sake of it and are not willing to take part in a debate and give meaningful feedback to the government to resolve issues, he said.

Ananth Kumar said it was "strange" that the opposiiton was not ready for discussion after debating the issue for a day in the Rajya Sabha.
"I don't think on substantial issues of black money and corruption any political party has different opnion. There might be concerns about implementation of demonetisation and we are ready to listen to their (opposition) concerns.
"We are eveready for discussion and appropriate authority at appropriate time from the government will intervene and respond to their concerns. We all know only way forward is discussion but its strange after discussing the mater for one day in Rajya Sabha opposition is not ready for discussion," he said.