Parliament Complex Witnesses Sharp Exchange Between Rahul Gandhi and Ravneet Bittu
A tense confrontation unfolded between Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu within the Parliament premises on Wednesday, escalating into a full-blown political war of words. This incident occurred against the backdrop of the Lok Sabha being adjourned following vigorous protests by Opposition members over the suspension of eight MPs during the ongoing Budget Session.
Heated Verbal Sparring Captured on Camera
The altercation took place on the steps of Parliament as Rahul Gandhi, along with suspended Opposition MPs, was posing for a video. Ravneet Singh Bittu, a former Congress MP who now serves as a Union Minister, walked past the group and made a sarcastic remark, stating, “Ye Kargil ki jung jeet ke aaye hain” (seems like they have won the Kargil war).
Rahul Gandhi swiftly responded by pointing towards Bittu and declaring, “Here is a traitor walking right by. Look at the face...” He then extended his hand for a handshake, adding, “Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don't worry, you will come back (to Congress).”
Bittu refused to shake hands and was heard retorting with “Desh ke dushman..” (enemies of the country), leading to a brief exchange of words between the two leaders. The entire episode was captured on camera and quickly circulated, drawing immediate reactions from political circles.
Background of Parliamentary Tensions and MP Suspensions
This political clash erupted amidst heightened tensions in Parliament, where the Lok Sabha faced adjournment until 12 pm due to persistent sloganeering by Opposition members. They were protesting the suspension of eight MPs for the remainder of the Budget Session, a decision taken after these members were accused of violating House rules by “throwing papers on the chair” during disruptions.
The suspended MPs, who staged a protest outside Parliament holding placards that read “PM is compromised,” include Congress leaders Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and Dean Kuriakose, along with CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan.
The disruptions were linked to Rahul Gandhi's insistence on raising issues related to the 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh during discussions on the motion of thanks to the President's address. A day prior, Rahul Gandhi had clarified his intention to speak briefly about Chinese actions during the Kailash Range standoff, without citing unpublished material, but the government objected, leading to procedural conflicts.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Defending Rahul Gandhi's stance, Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauria emphasized that the Leader of Opposition represents the voices of those who voted against the BJP. He accused the ruling party of attempting to stifle dissent, stating, “It is a conspiracy to stifle Opposition's voice... If the truth comes out before the people of the country, BJP feels its so-called image of Vishwaguru will suffer a dent.”
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved the motion for the suspension of the eight MPs, which was adopted amid continued protests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to reply to the motion of thanks later in the day, adding to the day's high-stakes political drama.
This incident underscores the deepening political rift and the volatile atmosphere in Parliament, as both sides trade accusations and stand firm on their positions regarding national security discussions and parliamentary decorum.
