NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government over what he called a denial of facts surrounding the publication of former Army chief General M.M. Naravane’s memoir, saying the issue was “right under your nose” and accusing the government of evading key questions raised by the Opposition.Kharge’s remarks came after Opposition parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha during the Prime Minister’s reply to the debate on the President’s address yesterday, alleging that their concerns – particularly on national security and China – were not addressed.

“There is no need to react to the PM’s speech, but I would like to respond to the things he said. Because repeating the lies has been one of his habits,” Kharge said, referring to the Prime Minister’s speech. “In 97 minutes of this speech, the PM did not say anything conclusive, he didn’t reply to any of the concerns we had raised during the discussion, but only spoke about the last 100 years, 75 years and 50 years.” Referring to the controversy over former Army Chief General Naravane’s memoir, Kharge questioned the government’s claim in Parliament that the book had not been published.“When we talk about the country’s defences, we received the published book by General MM Naravane (Retd), but how did you not get it? And you say in the parliament that the book hasn’t been published. How can the Defence Minister say that the book is not published? It is a privilege. It is right under your nose,” Kharge said.He alleged that both home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh repeated the same position in the House before Rahul Gandhi brought an alleged “memoir” of ex-Army Chief Naravane in Parliament. “In the end it turned out to be true,” he said.Kharge also questioned the government’s response when Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of China during the debate. “Why were they troubled when LoP Rahul Gandhi raised the issue (China issue)? Listen to the truth and reply… deny it,” he said. Kharge said the Opposition decided to walk out as it felt the Prime Minister had failed to substantively respond to the debate. “It is so unfortunate that he had no substance and answer to the issues we had raised in the House. Later, they only kept abusing me,” he said.Rejecting allegations that the Congress had insulted the Sikh community, after Rahul Gandhi’s comment calling Union minister Raveneet Bittu “traitor” snowbowled into a big controversy, drawing sharp reaction from BJP.Kharge said, “We respect the Sikh community.” He cited former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying, “Dr Manmohan Singh, a renowned economist was appointed the Finance Minister and PM twice, the same post as Modi ji.” Accusing the ruling party of relying on attacks rather than governance, Kharge said, “In the last 10 years, what have they done except abuse the Congress?”