Cong, BJP counter each other with protests

The row over NDA minister Niranjan Jyoti’s “abusive remarks” not only continued to rock the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha but also led to protests and counter protests by the Congress and BJP outside Parliament.

A group of opposition members, led by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, staged a sit-in near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on Parliament premises against the government’s display of “brute majority”.

Covering their mouth with a black cloth, Rahul Gandhi was flanked by leaders from Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, AAP, RJD and CPI.

“The attitude of the government is not to allow democratic process in the House. This attitude does not let peoples’ expression to be heard in the House,” Rahul told reporters.

Soon after the Opposition leaders left the spot, Modi’s ministers and BJP leaders trooped in at the same spot and sang Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram”.

Giving a twist to the hymn, the BJP leaders led by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, sang “Congress ko sanmati de bhagwan” (let Congress see wisdom).

“We are praying for the Congress. Their leaders have still not overcome from their shock after the defeat. That is why they are resorting to such acts,” Naqvi told reporters.

He was flanked by Union ministers Ramvilas Paswan, Sadananda Gowda, Thawarchand Gehlot, Sanjeev Balyan and senior leaders Anil Dave, Vijay Goel among others. The BJP was clearly upset at the Congress not allowing the Rajya Sabha to function.

The Modi government is in a minority in the Upper House and hence took the unusual step of protesting against the Opposition within the Parliament premises.

“This is the height of arrogance of the Congress. It is going back on its words as they first wanted the prime minister to speak on the issue and when he has done so, they are still continuing to disrupt the Upper House,” Naqvi said.