Cong condemns Centre for detaining Rahul Gandhi
MAPUSA: The Congress on Friday condemned the dictatorial functioning of the central government and demanded the resignation of Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar for mishandling the OROP issue, which resulted in the death of ex-armyman.
“Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has failed to tackle the One Rank One Pension (OROP) properly which led to the death of former serviceman. This shows that Parrikar is not fit to be the defense minister and therefore resign,” said Sunita Verenkar, State Congress Mahila President.
Verenkar was speaking at a Congress gathering to protest the detention of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and other leaders in Delhi near the Gandhi Chowk in Mapusa.
Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for the suicide of former armyman, Ram Kishan Grewal, Verenkar said the incident has nailed government’s lie on the OROP issue.
“Almost one year back, the government had declared OROP and also implemented it. So what led the former armyman to commit suicide,” the Congress Mahila president questioned.
She said the government acted in highhanded manner when it detained Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi when he went to express his solidarity with family members of the armyman who committed suicide.
“The detention of Rahul Gandhi clearly shows the dictatorial tendency of the central government,” she added.
Hitting out at the defence minister, she said the gallant army of the nation conducted surgical strike but the defence minister was taking credit for it.
“With an eye on the elections in five states, the BJP-led government is launching different schemes. But the OROP suicide indicates that there’s no money in government’s kitty,” she said.
Mapusa Block President Vijay Bhike also spoke on the occasion. Members of Congress Mahila and Youth Congress later burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendar Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Congress General Secretary Trajano D’Mello, North Goa Congress District President Amarnath Panjikar, Swati Kerkar and others were present.
