Congress Highlights Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha Silence as Core Parliamentary Issue
The Congress party asserted on Wednesday that the fundamental problem in Parliament was not Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inability to deliver his reply, but rather the fact that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was prevented from speaking in the Lok Sabha. According to senior party leaders, the Prime Minister's response is contingent upon questions and points raised by the LoP during the debate, making Gandhi's participation essential for meaningful parliamentary discussion.
Senior Leader Jairam Ramesh Explains Parliamentary Procedure
Following a meeting of Congress floor leaders at Rajya Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh addressed reporters with a pointed question about parliamentary decorum. "If the Leader of Opposition does not speak, what is the point of a debate?" Ramesh emphasized. "The prime minister replies to the debate. If the debate hasn't taken place, what will the PM speak on?"
Ramesh further elaborated on the anticipated nature of the Prime Minister's address, suggesting it would follow a familiar pattern. "We know the prime minister will make an election-style speech," he stated. "That is what he has been doing for the last 11 years. He will criticise the Congress and its leadership, and target Nehru. But a proper debate starts with the LoP, who has not been allowed to speak."
Congress Leadership Meeting and Historical Context
The strategic meeting at Kharge's residence included prominent Congress figures such as:
- Jairam Ramesh
- Congress general secretary in-charge of organisation K C Venugopal
- Pramod Tewari
- Manickam Tagore
- Other senior party leaders
Later, Ramesh took to social media platform X to provide historical context for the current parliamentary impasse. "To recall and remind, on June 10, 2004, the prime minister was prevented by the BJP from speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address," he wrote, drawing parallels between past and present parliamentary disruptions.
Dramatic Scenes in Lok Sabha Lead to Adjournment
The Lok Sabha witnessed extraordinary developments on Wednesday as women opposition MPs staged a protest just before Prime Minister Modi's scheduled reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address. In a dramatic display of dissent:
- Women opposition MPs marched toward the Treasury benches holding banners
- Protesting MPs physically blocked seats in the treasury bench area
- The Prime Minister's own seat was among those obstructed
- Speaker Om Birla subsequently adjourned the House
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response was officially cancelled
This parliamentary confrontation highlights the deepening tensions between the ruling party and opposition forces, with procedural norms becoming collateral damage in the political standoff. The Congress party's insistence on Rahul Gandhi's speaking rights underscores their strategic positioning ahead of crucial parliamentary sessions, framing the issue as one of democratic principles rather than mere political maneuvering.
