Not a ‘clear majority’ govt, shed arrogance: Opposition targets BJP in Rajya Sabha

Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who returned to the House after months-long suspension over breach of parliamentary privileges, said that BJP has been targeting leaders of the Opposition, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, by using Central investigation agencies. He also said that the BJP has been depriving the states ruled by Opposition parties of their due share of funds and support. Every scheme launched by AAP in Delhi had been opposed by the previous BJP government. “Are you a government meant to stop (schemes),” he asked.

Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal said that the government had turned the country into an Orwellian state or a police state.

Referring to the presidential address, Jawhar Sircar of the Trinamool Congress reminded the House that while India has the fifth largest GDP in the world, India’s ranking in per-capita GDP is at 120 in the global order with each person earning just 2,400 USD. Sircar said that only a few industrialists have gained wealth during the past ten years of the BJP rule. “Inequality has reached insane proportions,” he said. Sircar accused the BJP of “especially targeting” West Bengal by depriving the state of Rs 1.71-lakh crore funds. He also said new criminal laws which came into effect on July 1 have many draconian provisions. Bharat Nyay Sanhita (BNS) can make any form of writing and speech an act of terrorism, he said, adding, any form of political opposition including fasting has been criminalised under the new criminal laws.

Communist Party of India’s MP Binoy Viswam said the BJP had failed to honour the President on two occasions – during the inauguration of the new Parliament building and the Pran Pratishta at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. “Where was the President during these occasions?” Viswam asked. “Was she denied entry because she was a tribal woman, woman or widow?” Viswam asked, soon after accusing the BJP of following only one ‘Veda’ – the Manusmriti which denies freedom for women.

John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), meanwhile, said that the BJP government has dismantled the media in the country. “Bulldozer has become the symbol of BJP. It is better if they replace the ‘kamal’ symbol with bulldozer,” Brittas said.

Meanwhile, supporting the government, Praful Patel of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that the Opposition was only bent on casting aspersions that the Constitution is under threat. “The Constitution is not under any threat. It is the Constitution which has enabled members of this House to be present here,” Patel said, adding, during the 2024 election campaign, efforts were made to misguide the SCs, STs and OBCs that the Constitution will be amended.