Accusing the government of not allowing a discussion on important issues, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the Union Government is responsible to run Parliament and not the Opposition.
“They are attacking democracy. There is a non-stop attack on democracy and that is why we are fighting here,” Mr. Gandhi told reporters, adding that the Narendra Modi government was not allowing any debate on price rise, Ladakh, minimum support price (MSP) and Lakhimpur Kheri violence among other issues.
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Mr. Gandhi had given a notice for an adjournment motion to discuss the issue of the “statehood and inclusion of Ladakh in Schedule VI of Consitution”.
However, the issue couldn’t be taken up as the Lok Sabha witnessed multiple adjournments over the Opposition’s demand to sack Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni because of his alleged involvement in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
“It is clear, we want the government to remove its Minister and allow a discussion on the Lakhimpur Kheri issue. The government is not allowing it,” Mr. Gandhi said.
When pointed out that the government is blaming the Opposition for not allowing the House to function, Mr. Gandhi hit back by reminding of the government’s responsibility.
“It is the responsibility of the government to bring the House in order and run it and not of the Opposition. It is the responsibility of the government to run Parliament. It is also the government’s responsibility to allow a debate,” he said.
Motion on statehood for Ladakh
Talking about his adjournment motion on statehood for Ladakh, Mr. Gandhi said, “I want to tell all people of Ladakh. Daro mat [Don’t be afraid]. Whatever is yours, you will get.”
Later, in a tweet, Mr. Gandhi said, “What kind of government is this that it does not know how to handle Parliament? They cannot stop our voice in raising issues like price rise, Lakhimpur, MSP, Ladakh, Pegasus and suspended MPs. If you have the courage, allow the discussion to take place.”
