Politics
Row Over Rahul Remarks: Congress' Response Is Privilege Motion Against PM Modi
Rahul Gandhi
Congress has sought "privilege proceedings" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly making insulting remarks against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi during a Lok Sabha session.
This move is being seen as an attempt to counter BJP's offensive strategy over Rahul Gandhi's remarks against Indian democracy.
The Congress considers PM Modi's comments on Rahul and Sonia as "derogatory, insulting, distasteful and defamatory".
Congress General Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal approached Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday (15 March).
He submitted a notice of question of privilege against the Prime Minister under Rule 188 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Upper House.
In February, during his response to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, PM Modi made comments about the "family" not using the "Nehru" surname.
In his speech on 9 February, PM Modi had said, “I find it very surprising that we may at times miss out mentioning the name of (Jawaharlal) Nehru ji, and we will also correct ourselves because he was the country’s first prime minister. But I do not understand why none of them use the Nehru surname? What is the shame in using the Nehru surname? Such a great personality is not acceptable to you, to the family?”.
At the time, Congress has condemned PM Modi's comments.
The Congress's fresh response to BJP's strategy is based on the aforementioned comments of PM Modi. Venugopal wrote to Dhankhar and described PM Modi's remarks as "preposterous".
Venugopal said that PM Modi's remarks “are not only disgraceful but also insulting and defamatory vis-a-vis the members of Nehru family particularly Smt Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who are members of the Lok Sabha," reports Indian Express.
Venugopal, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, also sought privilege proceedings against PM Modi.
“I seek privilege proceedings against Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India for having made derogatory, insulting, distasteful and defamatory remarks against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi which has amounted to breach of their privileges and also contempt of the House,” added Venugopal.
Venugopal reiterated the Congress’s position that in India “the surname of the father is not taken by the daughter”.
“Despite this he (PM) deliberately mocked. The tone and tenor of the remark is insinuating and derogatory in nature," he added.
Rahul Gandhi had also accused PM Modi of insulting him by referring to his surname during a rally in Wayanad, days after the Prime Minister's Lok Sabha speech.
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