Congress workers disrupt Venkaiah Naidu's presser; 10 detained

Rajkot: Congress workers on Wednesday disrupted a press conference here of Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu who later hit back alleging that the party was losing grip in states it once ruled and must introspect on this.

As soon as the Urban Development Minister began his conference at the circuit house here, some Congress workers, including Rajkot Municipal Corporation leader of opposition Vasram Sagathia, rushed into the conference room and disrupted the presser, Pradyuman Nagar police station in-charge inspector RY Raval said.

There was a heated discussion between Congress and BJP workers in the room.

 

Police were soon alerted and 10 Congress workers, including Sagathia, were detained, the officer said, adding that all were later released.
Naidu termed as "unfortunate" the incident and said "it's unfortunate that our opposition cannot digest our success and are misleading people."

Sagathia told reporters outside the circuit house that they had come to hand over a memorandum to the minister regarding alleged irregularities in Rajiv Awas Yojna.

"In democracy, it's their right to oppose government's policy and decision but they (Congress) play cheap politics, tactics which will lead them to become a cheap party," Naidu said.

"They are not doing this just here, they are doing the same at the national capital...Not allowing both the Houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) to function smoothly," he said.

The opposition should rather try to improve their position instead of indulging in 'cheap protests', he added.

Meanwhile, at the conference, Naidu said Congress should introspect as it is "losing" grip in many states.

"Congress leaders are quitting party one by one while the party is also losing grip in states where they once ruled and it's better for Congress to do introspection," Naidu said at the press conference.

He also advised Congress to respect the mandate given by the people in the 2014 General Elections.