The second phase of the budget session began with intense confrontation on Monday, as BJP MPs accused the Congress-led opposition of staging protests over the Middle East conflict.
BJP MP Sambit Patra accused him of attempting to hold Parliament hostage with a new “proposal” regarding discussion on the West Asia conflict during the pendency of the no-confidence motion against the Speaker, and that the Congress and its allies were suffering from “weak proposals”.
Speaking to ANI, Patra said, “Today the date was fixed: when the House meets on March 9, the Bharatiya Janata Party, its allies and the opposition will discuss the matter in detail. Today the Congress party and the opposition have come up with another proposal. They are trying to hold the Parliament hostage, which the entire country is watching. I will not hesitate to say that perhaps the Congress party and the opposition are facing some loose proposals.”
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that the government is ready for a full debate and will respond to all “frivolous arguments” claiming the party is on the verge of collapse.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “We are ready for the debate. We are ready to respond to all the absurd arguments of the Congress. Two days have been allotted for this issue. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, there is no respect for the dignity of Parliament, the traditions of the House and the honor of the post of the Speaker. You are already making a mockery of your party. Your party is on the verge of collapse, and I want to say to the opposition, please stop following Rahul Gandhi. He has literally taken over the entire House. Is.”
Additionally, Union Minister Giriraj Singh directly attacked Rahul Gandhi, calling him an “innocent child” and criticizing him for showing “plaques” while foreign ministers were making statements.
He said, “Such behavior was never expected in the House. Not allowing the House to function is a violation of people’s rights. You are an ‘innocent child’, and you can remain like that. Showing placards in the House shows that you do not want answers, but only want to create ruckus.”
Earlier, India Bloc MPs had protested at the Makar Gate of Parliament, raising slogans against the Center over the West Asia conflict.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge were also among the MPs who protested outside Parliament.
The leaders held a banner that read, “The Gulf is burning, there is an oil crisis. Indians are stranded. India needs leadership – not silence.”
The incident occurred after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement in the Rajya Sabha regarding the ongoing conflict situation in West Asia, while the opposition demanded a discussion to question the Centre.
Addressing the upper house of Parliament amid sloganeering by opposition MPs, Jaishankar said that “the Prime Minister is continuously monitoring the emerging developments and line ministries are coordinating to ensure effective response.”
Aishwarya Shankar said that the government had already expressed its apprehensions regarding regional instability. He said, “Our government issued a statement on February 20 expressing deep concern and urging all parties to exercise restraint. We still believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to reduce tensions.”
Before this statement, Mallikarjun Kharge had sought a short-term discussion in the Rajya Sabha on India’s energy security amid the West Asia conflict. Referring to the rise in cooking gas prices, Kharge said the conflict has affected India’s energy security and the country’s image.
Kharge said, “I would like to briefly discuss the emerging challenges facing India’s energy security. This conflict is not limited to West Asia only; it has now affected India’s energy security and the country’s image. This conflict will also impact our economic stability.”