Lait Modi row: ‘Act with restraint’, Congress tells Bhardwaj

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It refrained from reacting to his remarks that Rahul Gandhi was out of touch with the ground reality and the party was in no position to stop Narendra Modi juggernaut. The party merely asked him to “act with restraint and patience” and conduct himself in such a way that he should not lose the respect of the partymen.

Bhardwaj, in an interview to The Indian Express, had questioned the recent statements of senior party colleagues that the functioning of Parliament would be affected if no action was taken against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

“Bhardwaj is a very senior leader. We respect him as an elder and it was reflected in making him member of the Upper House four times, a Cabinet minister for several years and Governor of two states. He should act with restraint and patience. At this age, he should instead of targeting his colleagues, give his valuable advice inside party fora. It will help him maintain his respect”, party spokesman Meem Afzal said.

Privately, Congress leaders attributed frustration as the reason for Bhardwaj’s outbursts.