Act with restraint: Congress reacts to HR Bhardwaj's remarks on Lalit Modi row

New Delhi: Congress on Thursday sounded a note of caution to former Union Minister HR Bhardwaj to exercise restraint, in the wake of him questioning party’s strategy in Parliament over the Lalit Modi row. [caption id=“attachment_2323998” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Congress reacted to HR Bhardwaj’s remarks. IBNLive[/caption] “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 targetting his colleagues, give his valuable advice inside party fora. It will help him maintain his respect”, party spokesman Meem Afzal told reporters. Afzal’s remarks came in the wake of Bhardwaj questioning 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. “I don’t think it is proper to take such a decision. Whoever has violated any law, the legal course must, and will, follow. But stopping the house from functioning is not good parliamentary practice. Parliament is the highest forum for discussing important issues concerning the people”, Bhardwaj had said in an interview. Congress has been demanding resignations of Swaraj and Raje over the Lalit Modi controversy, of HRD Minister Smriti Irani for allegedly misrepresenting facts about her educational qualification in separate election affidavits, and of Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde for her “clearing” purchases worth Rs 206 crore on a single day instead of inviting tenders in violation of norms. PTI