Rahul Gandhi raised issues in the Lok Sabha that weren't directly linked to the budget session. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers and leaders from the ruling party dismissed his points, yet Rahul Gandhi remained combative throughout.
Seeing the aggressive stance of the opposition leader, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned the possibility of a notice for breach of privilege, but it seems that nothing of that sort is forthcoming. However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey did file a substantive motion against Rahul Gandhi.
The congress leader asserts that such things do not intimidate him. With about 30-32 cases already, one more FIR doesn't bother him. He also linked his latest battle to farmers' interests. Rahul Gandhi accused the trade deal between India and the USA of compromising farmers' interests.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in the Budget Session
1.
During the vote of thanks on the President's address in the budget session, when it was Rahul Gandhi's turn to speak, he chose to bring up the India-China dispute over the budget. Citing a magazine, he attempted to read unpublished excerpts from former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s book, but the Speaker did not permit it.
Thereafter, Rahul Gandhi arrived in the parliament with a copy of the book, intensifying the uproar. Questions arose regarding the publication status of the book. Penguin, the publishing house, confirmed that the book was indeed unpublished, and General Naravane affirmed the same status as stated by Penguin. The issue reached the Delhi police, a case was filed, and Rahul Gandhi moved on from the matter.
2.
Rahul Gandhi delivered another part of his speech in parliament, raising issues like the Epstein files and the trade deal with America. He accused the government of 'selling out the country' and implicated Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in the Epstein files. He affirmed that he would present evidence if questioned and stands by his words.
To clarify the allegations, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri promptly held a press conference and elaborated on his interactions and intentions with Epstein. Although he acknowledged the meetings, he asserted that they were entirely professional contacts. Nevertheless, questions about these interactions continued from Congress and Trinamool Congress.
3.
Rahul Gandhi has met many farmer organizations' representatives within the parliamentary complex. Together with the farmer leaders, he discussed opposing the trade agreement with America and the need for a large-scale national movement to protect farmers' and agricultural laborers' livelihoods.
Already, Rahul Gandhi has firmly stated, 'Whether it's FIRs, lawsuits, or privileged motions... I will fight for the farmers. Any trade deal that takes away the farmers' livelihood or undermines the country's food security is anti-farmer... We won't allow the anti-farmer Modi government to compromise on the interests of the providers.'
Is Rahul Gandhi Setting the Agenda?
Rahul Gandhi often disregards the occasion, but taking a different stand on Congress matters and making statements in parliament are distinct. Ahead of the 2022 UP Assembly election, Congress held a rally on inflation where Rahul Gandhi focused on Hinduism rather than inflation, leading to debates on Hindus, Hindutva, and Hindu nationalism. Despite Priyanka Gandhi's efforts, Congress did not gain much from the election.
1.
During the budget session, under the President's address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to speak on the vote of thanks, but he couldn't. Speaker Om Birla mentioned it was due to an inappropriate atmosphere.
2.
Following Rahul Gandhi's allegations of 'selling the country,' Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned a proposal for a privilege motion against the opposition leader, but it was later clarified that no such proposal would be introduced.
3.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has filed a notice for a substantive motion. It depends on the Speaker’s stance on the decision. Dubey desires that Rahul Gandhi's parliament membership be terminated and that a lifetime ban on him contesting elections be imposed.
4.
The opposition, on the other hand, made no such hesitation. A notice of a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla was given by the opposition, and soon after, the Speaker distanced himself from the proceedings.
Despite constant challenges from Rahul Gandhi, there seems to be no solid action from the ruling side. Countering Rahul Gandhi's allegations mainly involves rhetoric, and there are discussions about removing some of the Congress leader's speech segments from the proceedings record — so, is Rahul Gandhi setting the agenda, while the ruling BJP is merely reacting?
