PM Modi has time to address Coldplay concert but can't appear in Parliament: Congress

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to appear in the Parliament to face the Opposition over the issue of demonetisation, the Congress on Saturday asserted that the former was "absconding" from the House but seemed to have enough time on his hands to address the Global Citizen Festival via video conferencing, where the internationally acclaimed band Cold Play will perform.

Speaking to the media mere moments after the Prime Minister's address, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala stated that this government will not be run through video conferencing at rock concerts, but only by accountability to parliament and people of this country.

"55 people have died. Crores stand in line for the past 11 days. Banks do not have cash, ATM s do not have notes. People have money in their accounts but there is no money to be withdrawn from their accounts," he said, adding that the Prime Minister was missing from the Parliament since the Winter Session began.

"Parliament is on and the Rajya Sabha is demanding that the Prime Minister should come and answer on demonetisation, but Modiji has time to address via video conferencing Cold Play's concert in Mumbai," Surjewala added.

Appealing to the Prime Minister to address the issues of the nation, he further said that people across the country are dying and are committing suicides over lack of money.

"People are dying everywhere modiji, in your own home state of Gujarat, farmers are dying and protesting in Surat. A trader committed suicide because he could not marry off his daughter in Rohtak, Haryana, and you address rock concerts instead of addressing your people," the Congress leader said.

The strong attack came in the wake of Prime Minister taking a lighter note over the issue of demonetisation in his address at the Global Citizen Festival, despite being on the receiving end of the Opposition.

"I always look forward to being among young people. It refreshes and re-energises me. You bring an energy and idealism that is unparalleled. You have been smart in asking me to only address gathering and not sing, or else I am sure you would be asking money back that too in Rs.100 notes," Prime Minister Modi said via video-conferencing.

"I know that I stand between you and Cold Play and so will make this brief. Back in 2014, I had enjoyed attending the Global Citizen Festival in the beautiful Central Park of New York. This time around, my schedule didn't permit me to come in person," he added.

--ANI