BJP hits out at Congress for disrupting Tendulkar's speech in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, Dec 21: Lashing out at the Congress party for disrupting Bharat Ratna former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's initiation of a debate on sports related issues in the Upper House of Parliament on Thursday, the BJP said that the principal opposition party had lost direction and was also confused.

Talking to reporters here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, “In the winter session of Parliament, the principal opposition party, the Congress, has not only lost the direction, it is totally confused. In Lok Sabha, after four days of protest they are participating in a debate on supplementary demands for grants but in Rajya Sabha they have stopped Sachin Tendulkar, the pride of India and Bharat Ratna, speaking on a non-controversial, an issue pertaining to every Indian the development and welfare of sports.”
Sachin was to give his maiden speech in Rajya Sabha. 
Congress MPs were protesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s allegations that his predecessor Manmohan Singh met with Pakistani officials to conspire against the Bharatiya Janata Party in the recent Assembly elections in Gujarat.
The legendary cricketer had earlier moved a notice for Short Discussion Motion on the future of sports in India and right to play. 
He was expected to address some long-pending issues, including coverage of Central Health Guarantee Scheme (CGHS) for international medal winners and incorporation of sports in school curriculum. 
Terming the disruption as unfortunate, Mr Kumar said, “It was a short duration discussion…. But the Congress did not allow and went on disrupting the house. We condemn it and we don’t understand why they are behaving like this? Only thing I can tell with heavy heart that the Congress has not only lost the direction but also plot.” 
He alleged that the Congress lawmakers were confused due to the opposition party leadership. 
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Bachhan of Samajwadi Party said, "It was a shame that Sachin was not allowed even when everyone knew that was a part of today's agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak? UNI