New Delhi: A political row broke out in Parliament on Thursday after Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi snapped at reporters over a possible privilege motion against him, sparking criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party.The confrontation took place during the ongoing budget session, with tensions rising after Rahul attacked the Modi government in the Lok Sabha a day ago.
Rahul questions media on ‘code words’
As Rahul Gandhi walked to his car outside the Parliament complex, he was surrounded by reporters seeking his response to reports that the ruling party may move a privilege motion against him.Visibly frustrated, he asked rhetorically: “Is privilege the key word today? Did anyone give you that word today?”Referring to a question raised a day earlier, he added: “Yesterday the word was certification, today the word is privilege. You should try to do something objective. You are not exactly in the employ of the BJP; it has become really disgraceful. “He further told reporters, “You are responsible people, you have media people, you have a responsibility to be objective. You are hurting this country. Don’t you realize that?”
Lok Sabha remarks cause controversy
A heated meeting in the Lok Sabha was held on Wednesday when Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on the government, accusing it of “surrendering” India and its people in front of foreign powers and “selling out India”.His comments sparked an outcry from Treasury MPs, who called his language “unparliamentary” and called for parts of his speech to be struck from the record.BJP MPs later said they would move a privilege motion against the Opposition leader for allegedly “misleading” the House with “baseless and malicious” claims.Congress defended Rahul, saying he had not violated any parliamentary norms and had the right to criticize the government and the prime minister for what it called “capitulation and abandonment” of Indian energy and farmers’ interests in the India-US trade deal.
Rijiju accuses Rahul of dodging questions
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Rahul Gandhi for his remarks against the media, saying the Opposition leader was unwilling to answer questions.“This is wrong. If he interrupts and scolds the media, then who will ask questions? Have we ever stopped the media from asking questions? When we were in opposition, we never said anything to the media about Congress. He must have said all this because he did not want to answer the media,” news agency ANI quoted Rijiju as saying.He added that he had spoken to several Congress MPs and asked them to advise Rahul to adhere to House rules.“I have asked many MPs to make it clear to Rahul Gandhi that notices can be issued against him if his remarks violate the rules,” Rijiju said.
Speaker’s chamber video sparks controversy
Rijiju also shared a video on his X handle which he claimed was “illegally filmed by members of Congress.” According to him, the video shows 20 to 25 MPs entering the chamber of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, abusing him and threatening Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“Our party believes in debate and discussion and never encourages physical threats from MPs,” Rijiju wrote in a post accompanying the video.He claimed that senior Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal were present and did not stop other MPs.
“They (MPs) are inciting them. If our MPs misbehave with anyone, our leaders will stop them. But their (MPs) leaders are inciting the MPs to quarrel,” Rijiju said earlier.The incident reportedly took place last week when opposition MPs went to the Speaker’s Chamber to protest against BJP MP Nisikant Dubey’s remarks about former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Priyanka Gandhi denies accusations
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly denied Rijiju’s claims, calling them “lies”.“We did not abuse anyone. One or two MPs were agitated and they expressed this. He also said that I was encouraging them, which was a lie. I sat quietly. Finally, I calmly said a few words to the Speaker,” she told reporters inside the parliament building.She denied accusations that she encouraged colleagues during the confrontation, insisting no abuse occurred and that she was calm when she finally spoke.
