Venkaiah raps Sonia over remarks on black money issue

Observes that people are raking up a needless controversy over Bhagwat’s live telecast on DD

Hyderabad: Taking a dig at Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her reported attack on NDA government on the issue of black money, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu asked what her party did on the matter when it was in power.

At a press conference on Monday, Naidu said, “I am putting a straight question to the Congress president. If it is so easy and simple to bring back the black money in 60 days of coming to power, what is it you have done in the 60 years, when you have been in power. You have no answer. Your government is responsible for all the ills that are plaguing the nation. This government is trying its best to set right the matters,” he said.

Asked about Opposition’s criticism of the live telecast of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address on Doordarshan, he said the criticism was “absurd” and complimented the national broadcaster for telecasting it live.

“RSS chief’s Vijaya Dasami address, which is historic, has been live telecast by many channels, including Doordarshan. I don’t know why people are raking up needless controversy,” the Union Minister said.

Asked about reports of BJP being in touch with Tamil superstar Rajinikanth asking him to join the saffron party, he said it was being reported in newspapers and clarified that the party was in touch with him asking him to participate in 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.

Talking about the cleanliness campaign, he said icons in different fields like cinema and sports were being roped in to participate in the mission. Aamir Khan had volunteered and Sachin Tendulkar has already responded and had participated in the programme, he added.