'BJP's strategy is 'distort, defame, divert': Jairam Ramesh

Amidst the constant logjam in Parliament during the second seating of the Budget session, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday asserted he does not see a "middle path" going forward as the Opposition's demand for a JPC probe into the Adani issue was "non-negotiable". He also said that the question of an apology over Rahul Gandhi's remarks in the UK does not arise. In an interview with PTI, Ramesh said the government is rattled over 16 Opposition parties coming together to demand a joint parliamentary probe into the Adani issue and is resorting to a "3D orchestrated campaign -- distort, defame and divert". The former Union minister also hit out at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's efforts to seek termination of Rahul Gandhi's membership of the Lok Sabha over his remarks in the UK, saying all this was "intimidation" and part of efforts to distract from the real issues. The remarks by the Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh come amid the logjam in Parliament over Gandhi's remarks during his recent trip to the UK, with both houses failing to transact any significant business on the first five days of the budget session's second half. On asked about the BJP in the Centre seeking an apology for Rahul Gandhi's remarks in the UK, Ramesh said that it's the Prime Minister who should be making an apology for "highlighting the state of democracy in our country." There is an "undeclared emergency" prevailing in the country, Ramesh alleged. Asked about the BJP's charge that Gandhi sought the intervention of foreign countries, the Congress leader dismissed the charge, calling it "absolute bunkum and nonsense". He argued that whatever Gandhi said in the UK is a matter of record with its videos and transcripts available. "This is a canard, an absolute lie that is being propagated by the BJP. Whatever remarks are being attributed to the former Congress chief, he never said it", he said. Asked about BJP MP Dubey's demand that Gandhi be expelled from the House for his remarks in the UK, Ramesh said, "This is intimidation. If they want to give a motion to the Speaker, they are welcome to do so. Mr Gandhi will reply."