If Manmohan Singh was mute, Modi is super mute PM, says Digvijaya Singh

Jammu: If Manmohan Singh was a "mute" prime minister, then Narendra Modi is a "super mute" Prime Minister, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said on Thursday while attacking Modi for maintaining silence on a host of issues and controversies.

"If that (Singh remaining quiet) was mute, he (Modi) is super mute," Digvijaya Singh said.

"When he (Modi) tweets at the drop of the hat, why is he keeping quiet (on Lalit Modi issue)? He (Modi) is keeping quiet on black money... He is keeping quiet on issues with Pakistan, China... He is keeping quiet on all sensitive issues. His concern of the government is yoga. He says just know yoga and forget everything else," the Congress leader said while replying to questions over Lalit Modi controversy.

Lambasting BJP and its government for "double standards", Singh said, "As they say that BJP is a 'party with difference', I must say the statement of (Union Home Minister) Rajnath Singh that it was only UPA government that people resigned but in NDA government, no matter how serious they were involved in such cases, they will not resign."

To say that "whatever the people may talk, whatever the crime BJP ministers will commit, they will not resign" reflects "the mindset of a fascist", the Congress leader said.

Targeting Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who is embroiled in the Lalit Modi controversy, Singh said, "...they will go to any extent to prove that hard facts are not known. Apparently, she has signed on a document, where she has supported the application of petitioner (Lalit Modi) that he be allowed to travel and also mentioned that 'please don't mention it to Indian authorities'. This is an anti-national stand".

Lalit Modi, who has made London his home ever since ED began probing him in 2010, had requested for travel documents to go to Portugal, ostensibly to meet his sick wife.

"A person such as Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition at that time saying that she does not want these facts to be known to the Indian authorities is a gross act of impropriety and she has to go," Singh said.

"How is it possible that a share of Rs 10 is bought by Lalit Modi for Rs 96,000? They are keeping quiet about it... PM has also not spoken against Sushma Swaraj ji. Sushma committed an act of impropriety. It is unbecoming of her," he added.

The Congress leader said, "It is illegal as she is a minister and has to work within the parameters of rules of the business.... She is under oath of the Constitution that she has taken as a Minister. She should abide by the rules of the business and should show no favour or favouritism to anyone."

Swaraj has also "committed act of impropriety and she too must resign", he said.

Turning to HRD Minister Smriti Irani who is under a scanner over her education, Singh said, "Another minister in Modi cabinet has also a fake degree. Another Minister in Maharashtra Cabinet has also a fake degree. BJP has adopted different yardsticks".

He said BJP is "basically the master of double standards -- one standard for others and other for themselves."

Asserting that Congress party will take whole issue to its logical end, Singh said, "All those people who have committed acts of impropriety and those who have given false affidavits regarding their education qualification not only have done wrong but they have face criminal charges also."