Rahul Gandhi Urges Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to remove “derogatory” remarks made against him during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The Congress MP and Leader of Opposition met the Speaker on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for respectful dialogue and fair proceedings in the House.
Rahul Gandhi’s Meeting With Om Birla
Rahul Gandhi revealed that he held a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to address comments made against him by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Sambit Patra. “I told him that derogatory comments against me should be expunged. The Speaker said he would look into it,” Gandhi stated.
The Congress leader also emphasized the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum and ensuring the House functions smoothly. “Our aim is that the House must run and discussions should happen. No matter what they say about me, we want to have a debate on December 13. They don’t want a discussion on Adani, but we will not let this issue go,” Gandhi told reporters.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
The controversy began when BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Sambit Patra alleged links between Rahul Gandhi and Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. During a parliamentary session, Dubey remarked, “Congress ka haath, Soros ke saath,” suggesting that the Congress and Gandhi had ties to the global investigative news network OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), which receives funding from Soros.
Dubey also questioned whether Gandhi had taken funds from Soros for the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The remarks led to a high-voltage drama in the Lok Sabha, with Congress MPs storming the Well of the House in protest. The session was eventually adjourned.
Congress Responds To Allegations
Congress leaders strongly condemned the remarks made by BJP MPs. Outside the Parliament, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended her brother, stating, “Those who can call Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi traitors have no qualms about calling Rahul Gandhi one. I am proud of my brother, and for him, nothing is above this country.”
The Congress also submitted breach of privilege notices against Dubey and Patra, demanding action for their allegations. The party accused the BJP of attempting to divert attention from critical issues like the Adani controversy by targeting Gandhi with baseless claims.
The Demand For A Parliamentary Debate
Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for a parliamentary debate on December 13, focusing on the Adani Group and alleged links to the ruling BJP. According to Gandhi, the government is attempting to avoid discussion on this matter by creating distractions and leveling allegations against him and the Congress.
“The House must function. The people of India deserve answers on critical issues like Adani. They will continue to make baseless allegations against us, but we will not back down,” Gandhi stated.
BJP’s Position On The Issue
The BJP has stood by the comments made by its MPs, arguing that the Congress must address its alleged links with George Soros and OCCRP. According to BJP leaders, the allegations are not personal but pertain to matters of public interest.
Dubey defended his remarks, claiming they were based on information about Congress’s global associations and funding sources. Meanwhile, BJP’s Sambit Patra also criticized Gandhi, accusing him of deflecting attention from the Congress’s controversial ties.
Political Implications Of The Controversy
The ongoing controversy has further heightened tensions between the BJP and Congress during the Winter Session of Parliament. The debate over “derogatory” remarks and the broader issues of privilege and parliamentary decorum have taken center stage, overshadowing legislative proceedings.
For the Congress, the incident provides an opportunity to rally support and focus attention on its demands for transparency regarding the Adani controversy. For the BJP, the allegations against Gandhi serve as a counter-strategy to shift the narrative and keep the Congress on the defensive.
Calls For Maintaining Parliamentary Decorum
The incident highlights the urgent need for maintaining decorum in parliamentary proceedings. Allegations, counter-allegations, and personal remarks have increasingly become a norm, detracting from meaningful discussions on critical national issues.
Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with the Speaker underscores the Congress’s demand for accountability and fairness in the House. As the controversy unfolds, the focus remains on whether the Speaker will act to expunge the remarks and restore order in the Lok Sabha.
The December 13 debate promises to be a critical moment, with both parties preparing to present their cases amidst rising political temperatures in Parliament.