Govt-Oppn showdown continues in RS, Piyush Goyal targets Rahul Gandhi again
The face-off between the Government and the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in London continued to roil Rajya Sabha, disrupting its smooth functioning for the second day. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal raised the issue again on Tuesday even as the Congress gave a notice for raising a breach of privilege against him for attacking Rahul, who is not a member of the House.
The House functioned without much disturbance for an hour or so in the morning when members cutting across party lines lauded the Indian Oscar winners. But the calm did not last long as the Opposition soon demanded a discussion on the allegations against the Adani group even as Goyal raised the Rahul Gandhi matter without naming him. He insisted that the “senior MP” should apologise for his remarks on foreign soil “insulting” Indian Parliament.
Mallikarjun Kharge reminds BJP of PM Modi’s remarks abroad; some in Oppn silent on Rahul
As the government tried to corner the Congress in Parliament Monday by attacking Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in London on Indian democracy, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reminded the BJP about some remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visits abroad. He said it was strange that “those destroying democracy” were now talking of “saving” it.
While the Opposition remained united in attacking the government over its alleged “misuse” of Central agencies and the Adani Group affairs – the Opposition wanted discussions on both issues in Parliament – some of the parties spoke in support of Gandhi and his remarks, but some did not.
Union Budget 2023 | After targeting rural and urban poor, a 2024 signal: The Middle Class Matters
What’s the big political economy message from Nirmala Sitharaman’s latest Budget? The answer probably lies in five words: The Middle Class Finally Matters.
By freeing individuals with annual income up to Rs 7 lakh from paying any tax — and reducing the burden to Rs 1.5 lakh (from Rs 1,87,500 now) for even those drawing Rs 15 lakh or Rs 1.25 lakh/month — the Narendra Modi government has delivered some relief for a class that has long felt ignored.
The Modi government’s big initiatives during its almost nine years in power have been largely aimed at the very poor, the farming community and corporates. As cynics would say, the first and second have the votes, while the last bring in the notes.
The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned till 11 am on Friday, amid ruckus over the BJP's demand for Rahul Gandhi's "anti-India" remarks in London and the Opposition's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the allegations against the Adani group.
Congress national chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the demand for which the opposition is protesting today is same as yesterday. "We have a demand for JPC which government is not accepting. So today, we formed a human chain. Why are they scared for JPC when they have majority?" he said.
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Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi, NCP's Farooq Abdullah, members of the Samajwadi Party and others were seen at the protest outside Parliament.
Back from his trip to the UK, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Parliament House. Speaking to reporters, Rahul said, “I didn’t speak anything anti-India. If they will allow I will speak inside Parliament.” The Congress leader’s comments in London that India’s democracy is under attack, has caused a stir in India, with the ruling party accusing him of ‘discrediting’ the country.
There was pandemonium as BJP MPs stood in protest, demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on democracy being under threat in India, Congress-led Opposition MPs sought a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Hindenburg report on the Adani Group, and TMC MPs, with their mouths covered by black cloths, protested not being allowed to speak inside the House.
With the BJP determined to escalate the attack on Gandhi, who reached the national capital on Wednesday after his trip to London, the party MPs stood up immediately after the House met, repeating their demand for an apology. However, Gandhi was not present in the House in the morning. Read more
Congress leader Pawan Khere while speaking to reporters on Thursday said that the BJP is trying to divert attention from the Adani issue.
"Whenever Congress raises the demand for JPC probe in Adani issue, to divert attention, they (BJP) won’t let the session continue. BJP is scared that somebody will raise Gautam Adani’s name in the Parliament,” Khera said.
"A few days back, PM Modi said -- Ek akela sab par bhaari (One alone is heavy on all). But he did not say this for himself, but for his friend 'Ring Master Gogo' Gautam Adani. This friend of PM Modi is single-handedly overshadowing the whole of India and the Parliament," Khera added.
Ahead of the Parliamentary proceedings on Thursday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of instigating the Opposition and not letting Parliament function to avoid a discussion on the Adani issue. "Have you ever heard that ruling party people are stalling proceedings daily, they get up first and start saying 'maafi maango', 'maafi maango' (apologise), what is this. The government is instigating and they preach about democracy to others," Kharge was quoted as saying by PTI.
"Is there untouchability or not, it is there, so if someone goes abroad that person will talk about it…likewise democracy is being trampled upon, we were demonstrating peacefully yesterday, who stopped us? They put women constables in the front to try and stop us," Kharge alleged.
As the logjam continued Parliament on Thursday, Trinamool Congress MPs were in the Well of the Rajya Sabha, with cloths tied around their mouths. Opposition MPs have been protesting against the Government, demanding a JPC probe into the allegations against the Adani Group.
Shortly before the Parliament Session began on Thursday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in UK.
"If Rahul Gandhi says something and Congress gets into trouble because of that, we have nothing to do with it. But if he defames our country, then as the citizens of this country, we can't be quiet... Abuse us as much as you want but we can't let you insult the nation. Rahul has insulted the judiciary, our judicial system is a robust one. The only demand is that Rahul will have to apologize to the country for insulting it. India is not their fiefdom anymore, they can't digest this fact," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Proceedings in Parliament Thursday kicked off to a stormy start with the Opposition MPs raising slogans against the government in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Amid the ruckus, both the Houses were adjourned till 2 pm.
As the BJP continues its offensive against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, senior party leader Manickam Tagore tweeted an image of Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Today 11 am in Parliament… See you there Anurag & Smirti. (sic)"
Both Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani had called out Rahul for his speeches in London, where he claimed that "democracy in India was under attack".
The second leg of the Budget Session so far has witnessed an impasse between the government and the Opposition as they trade charges over Rahul Gandhi’s speech in London and allegations against the Adani Group. With no major Bills except Finance Bill on the cards, sources in the BJP told The Indian Express that the party plans to keep the heat on Rahul and the Congress even at the cost of Parliament proceedings getting adjourned without transacting any legislative business. Read more
Leaders of several opposition parties on Wednesday urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to initiate an investigation into the Adani Group over allegations of corrupt practices, including money laundering through shell companies.
In their letter to the ED, the opposition leaders said, "We are acutely aware of how in the recent past, the ED has also zealously pursued cases of alleged political favouritism, including sharing concurrent jurisdiction with SEBI and CBI. We are also aware of the limited remit of the Supreme Court Commission appointed on the subject. We point this out so as to remind the ED that it cannot turn around and abdicate its jurisdiction on these or other grounds".
The letter was signed by leaders of the Congress, CPI, CPI-M, JDU, SS (UBT), RJD, DMK, JMM, AAP, IUML, VCK, Kerala Congress and others. (PTI)
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned for the day amid uproar over the demand for Rahul Gandhi's apology for his 'democracy under attack' remark.
Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said, 'We are 200 MPs of opposition parties and were seeking to march to ED office to present a memorandum for a probe into the Adani issue, but we were stopped forcibly by the police.' 'We are going back to Parliament and would stage a protest inside Parliament House,' he said, as several MPs returned to Parliament after the police did not allow them to march forward. (PTI)
Attacking the Central government on the Adani issue Mallikarjun Kharge today said, “All of us are going to the Enforcement Directorate but the government has stopped us. The Government does not want us to take out a march. One individual has destroyed the LIC, SBI and other banks. People have deposited their hard-earned money in these institutions with trust. But all their money has been handed over to one person.”
He alleged that the Adani Group has the patronage of the Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in amassing wealth. “How has it happened? Who is responsible? Who is giving money to him? How he is allowed to make so much money…. an inquiry should be held… What is the relationship between the Prime Minister and Adani,” Kharge said.
Attacking the Central govt on the Adani issue Mallikarjun Kharge today said "We want to know how Adani made lakhs of crores in a span of 2 and half years."
"How did a person who started with Rs 1650 crore accumulate wealth up to 13 lakh crores? We demand an inquiry. We are 200 people, and there are 2000 police personnel, they (the govt) want to suppress our voice. We are peacefully protesting here, it is our request that we be allowed to take our procession to the ED office," Kharge said while speaking to the media.
NCP and TMC are not participating in the protesting march by the Opposition MPs from Parliament to ED Office in Delhi.
The opposition parties have called for a protest march from Parliament House to ED's headquarters in Delhi today. The protest march will begin at 12.30 pm from Parliament House and MPs from several opposition parties will take part.
The opposition has been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue and has been stalling proceedings of Parliament over their demand. (PTI)
The Delhi Police on Wednesday implemented increased security measures outside the Enforcement Directorate's office after leaders of opposition parties called for a protest march from Parliament House to the probe agency's headquarters here, officials said. A senior police officer said that the adequate security arrangements have been made outside the ED office on Wednesday in view of the protest march.
The leaders met in the office of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament House complex to coordinate their joint strategy on the issue. The protest march will begin at 12.30 pm from Parliament House and MPs from several opposition parties will take part, party sources said. (PTI)
Commenting on an exclusive report by The Indian Express which revealed that ELARA India Opportunities Fund (Elara IOF) is one of the top four entities to hold shares predominantly in Adani Group companies, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said, “India’s missile & radar upgrade contract is given to a company owned by Adani & a dubious foreign entity called Elara.”
Taking to Twitter, he questioned, “Who controls Elara? Why is India’s national security being compromised by giving control of strategic defence equipment to unknown foreign entities?” (Read More)
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 PM on Wednesday as opposition members raised uproar over the BJP's demand for an apology from Rahul Gandhi for his democracy remarks made in London.
Soon after laying of papers, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he has received 11 notices in seven categories under Rule 267 for suspension of business but before he could give a ruling on the notices the BJP members raised the apology demand.
This led to pandemonium in the House, with opposition members raising their voice rejecting the demand. Chairman Dhankhar then adjourned the House till 2 PM. (PTI)
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday amid slogan shouting by opposition and treasury benches over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "democracy under attack" remarks made in the UK.
As soon as the House assembled for the day, the opposition members began shouting slogans with some holding placards in their hands, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into alleged stock manipulation by the Adani Group.
Members of treasury benches also raised counter slogans, demanding an apology from Gandhi for his remarks. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla repeatedly urged the members to allow the House function. As the members refused to relent, he adjourned the House till 2 pm. (PTI)
LOK SABHA
Bill to be introduced:
-The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023.
- Discussion on the Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2023-24.
RAJYA SABHA
- Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Leaders of several opposition parties on Wednesday decided to take out a protest march from Parliament House to the ED office here and hand over a complaint to the probe agency on the Adani issue.
The leaders met in the office of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament House complex to coordinate their joint strategy on the issue.
The protest march will begin at 12:30 pm from Parliament House and MPs from several opposition parties will take part, party sources said. The opposition has been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue and has been stalling proceedings of Parliament over their demand. (PTI)
Opposition MPs have decided to take out a protest march to ED office today and hand over their complaint to the agency on the Adani issue.
Rahul Gandhi has returned to Delhi today from abroad. He is likely to attend Parliament today says a report by news agency ANI.
The Rajya Sabha defines Rule 267, under ‘suspension of rules’, as an instance where “any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and of the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being.'
A notice thus issued under rule 267 seeks to set aside the upper house's listed business of the day to discuss the subject raised by one or more members.
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has given a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss "the worrying trend of declining freedom of speech & expression in the country, incl raids on media organisation, civil society organisation & NGOs, increasing censorship, the capture of media institutions, ban on BBC documentary"
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday gave a suspension of Business notice under rule 267 in Rajya Sabha, demanding discussion on the Adani Group issue.
The Rajya Sabha defines Rule 267, under ‘suspension of rules’, as an instance where “any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and of the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being.'
A notice thus issued under rule 267 seeks to set aside the upper house's listed business of the day to discuss the subject raised by one or more members.