Delhi Confidential: RS Chairman Dhankar’s jibe about Raghav Chadha’s social media presence leaves Parliament in splits

Ever since AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha was seen in the company of actor Parineeti Chopra in Mumbai, social media has been agog with speculation. The videos, which went viral, did not escape the eyes of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar either. On Friday, as Chadha requested him to allow him to raise the issue of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, Dhankar left the House in splits, saying, “You already occupy enough space on social media. This may be a day of silence for you.” Later, responding to a reporter while leaving Parliament, Chadha said with a smile: “Aap mujhse rajneeti ki sawal kariye, Parineeti ki sawal na kariye (you ask me questions on politics, not Parineeti)…”

Practical Advice

After Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court, Congress leaders met at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence Thursday evening to plan the strategy for Friday. There were plans to hold a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan, which its leaders knew would be stopped by police. As the leaders wanted the party to put up an aggressive face, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal had an advice for party MPs from southern states – please wear kurta pyjamas or trousers. Many of them come to the House wearing mundu (dhoti), and it could get difficult for them if a scuffle with the police broke out during the protest.