BJP today hit back at Rahul Gandhi for attacking the government over the real estate bill, saying politics is a serious matter and cannot be done through “rent a cause” or “tokenism“.

Accusing Rahul of raising an issue and then “vanishing”, BJP asked whether he has visited hail-affected farmers in his own constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP also took a dig at the Congress Vice President saying his knowledge on real estate comes from within the family and named his brother-in-law Robert Vadra.

“Politics and service to the nation are serious matters. They cannot be done through ‘rent a cause’ and ‘tokenism’. You cannot just disappear for 56 days while Parliament is on. You come one day, raise an issue and then vanish,” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He said Rahul has the right to go anywhere and meet anyone, “but I have one question for him. Has Rahul Gandhi ever visited farmers in his own constituency Amethi, who have been affected by unseasonal rains and hail storm?”

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Rahul Gandhi and Congress Party are unfortunately giving misleading statements without checking the factual position. If they want, they can discuss the merits and demerits of the bill in Parliament instead of misleading people outside.”

Defending the new bill, he said it has been brought forward after consultations with consumers, industry and experts and takes care of consumer interests.

BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra defended the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill and said Rahul’s knowledge of real estate probably comes from his brother-in-law Robert Vadra.

“Rahul Gandhi acquires his knowledge of real estate probably from within his family - Mr Robert Vadra and is speaking in favour of the fly-by-night operators,” he said.

Firing yet another salvo at Narendra Modi government, Rahul accused it of diluting provisions of real estate bill, making the legislation pro-builders from being pro-buyers and met several NCR flat buyers.

Naqvi said the Real Estate bill is “consumer-friendly and pro-people” and will put an end to such exploitation of common people at the hands of builders.

He said after the report of Standing Committee that looked into the bill in February 2014, government initiated a dialogue with various stake-holders and there is no scope for any exploitation or manipulation in it now.

“There is a provision to set up a Regulatory Authority at both central and state levels to take care of any frauds,” he said.

Patra said the bill was brought after extensive consultations and termed it as a “pioneering initiative” of the Modi government, keeping in view the ‘Housing for All by 2022’ target and addresses concerns of consumers and prepares a ground for quick redressal of disputes and timely completion of projects.

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