Proceedings of Lok Sabha underway during Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, March 16, 2023. (PTI Photo)Parliament Budget Session Highlights: The Congress party has reiterated its ‘attack on democracy’ allegations on the Centre after it claimed that Lok Sabha proceedings were ‘muted’ before the House was adjourned for the day. Sharing a video on Twitter, the Congress party wrote: “Earlier the mike used to be off, today the proceedings of the House have been muted. The house is mute for PM Modi’s friend.”
Meanwhile, Congress MP K C Venugopal has moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged derogatory remarks against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Rahul had arrived in Lok Sabha today — a second time after coming in the line of fire for his democracy remarks in the UK. However, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Monday with the stalemate continuing for a fifth consecutive day as the BJP demanded a public apology from Gandhi, and the Congress called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into Adani case.
Earlier in the day, BJP president JP Nadda fired a fresh salvo against Rahul Gandhi over his ‘democracy’ remarks in the UK and alleged that he has become a “permanent part” of “anti-nationalist toolkit”. The BJP has already initiated moves to suspend Gandhi from Lok Sabha if he does not apologise in the House. The party has already approached Speaker Om Birla, seeking to form a special committee to explore the possibility of suspending him. BJP sources said the matter is “not just a privilege issue, it’s much beyond that”.
Kiren Rijiju. (File Photo)
Meanwhile, Congress MP K C Venugopal has moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged derogatory remarks against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress party has reiterated its 'attack on democracy' allegations on the Centre after it claimed that Lok Sabha proceedings were 'muted' before the House was adjourned for the day. Sharing a video on Twitter, the Congress party wrote: "Earlier the mike used to be off, today the proceedings of the House have been muted. The house is mute for PM Modi's friend."
Lok Sabha adjourned till Monday amid din over Rahul Gandhi’s democracy remarks in UK and Adani issue.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till Monday.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrives in Parliament on Friday.
Meanwhile, the BJP has initiated moves to suspend him from Lok Sabha if he does not apologise in the House. The party has already approached Speaker Om Birla, seeking to form a special committee to explore the possibility of suspending the Wayanad MP from the House. BJP sources said the matter is “not just a privilege issue, it’s much beyond that”.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “India is the mother of democracy… Rahul Gandhi, who is a member of this House, cast aspersions on the Chair saying his mic was turned off. He was allowed to make his entire speech, but still he blamed the Chair. When the fundamental rights of citizens were suspended during the Emergency where was democracy? When an ordinance promulgated by a government in which Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister and leaders like Sharad Pawar were ministers was torn publicly, calling it ‘nonsense’, making the PM helpless, where was democracy?” he asked.
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal said: “The entire country saw how an Opposition leader hurt the sentiments of Indians on foreign soil. He should apologise to the country and every Indian. He should apologise to the Army. He should come to the House and apologise to the Army, media and judiciary for his remarks on democracy."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Rahul Gandhi, who is a member of Lok Sabha, had gone to London and tried to discredit India and said the democratic system in India is completely crumbling. He also said that foreign powers should save India’s democracy. He tried to deeply hurt India’s honour and prestige… This is condemnable. The House should condemn and he should apologise to the Lok Sabha.”
As Rahul Gandhi came to Parliament Thursday for the first time since the BJP launched an attack over remarks made by him during interactions in London, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju stepped up the BJP offensive, accusing the Congress leader of “speaking in the language of anti-India forces”.
“Anything related to the nation is a matter of concern for all. We do not care what’s happening to the Congress or its leadership. But if he insults the nation, we cannot keep quiet,” Rijijju said.
“The language of these anti-India forces is the same. They speak on the same lines. Similar language is being used by Rahul Gandhi also. It’s the language of all those who work against India,” the Law Minister said.
With stalemate in Parliament with Rahul Gandhi in the line of fire for is democracy remarks in UK and BJP facing protests over Adani issue, the pertinesnt question is: will the Houses function today?
The Houses could not proceed with business for the fourth consecutive day Thursday, with the BJP demanding a public apology from Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in the UK, and the Congress calling for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into Adani issue. Both the Houses were adjourned twice — once shortly after the proceedings started at 11 am, and then, immediately after they reconvened at 2 in the afternoon.