Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his frustration over being denied the opportunity to speak during Lok Sabha proceedings. Gandhi, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition, accused Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of running the House in an “undemocratic manner,” claiming that his repeated requests to address pressing issues were ignored.
“I don’t know what is going on… I requested him (the Speaker) to let me speak, but he just ran away and did not let me speak. This is no way to run the House,” Gandhi stated to reporters, highlighting his discontent with the current parliamentary proceedings.
The Congress leader aimed to raise concerns regarding the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela and the escalating issue of unemployment, but he alleged that he was consistently prevented from doing so.
“I did nothing; I was quietly sitting. Yet, whenever I stand up, I am prevented from speaking. There is no place for democracy here,” he added, emphasizing his belief that the parliamentary environment was not conducive to democratic discourse.
Gandhi’s comments followed a statement from Speaker Om Birla, who had previously urged members to adhere to the rules of procedure that govern parliamentary conduct.
The Speaker’s remarks were made in light of what he described as instances where the behavior of certain members did not align with the high standards expected in the House.
“In this House, father and daughter, mother and daughter, husband and wife have been members. In this context, I expect the Leader of the Opposition to conduct himself in accordance with Rule 349, which outlines the rules to be observed by members in the House,” Birla stated, underscoring the importance of maintaining decorum and dignity within parliamentary proceedings.
The Speaker’s comments were directed at Gandhi, who he expected to uphold the standards of conduct befitting his position. “Especially, it is expected of the Leader of the Opposition to conduct himself as per the rules,” Birla reiterated, indicating that adherence to parliamentary decorum is crucial for all members.
Following the Speaker’s remarks, Gandhi claimed that he was not given a chance to speak before the House was adjourned. He pointed out that in the past week, he had faced similar obstacles in voicing his concerns during parliamentary sessions.
In response to Gandhi’s allegations, approximately 70 Congress Lok Sabha MPs, including deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi, party general secretary KC Venugopal, and party whip Manickam Tagore, convened with the Lok Sabha Speaker to address the issue of Gandhi’s denied opportunities to speak.
The party sources indicated that the Congress MPs sought to raise their concerns regarding the perceived obstruction of democratic dialogue within the House.
The ongoing tension between the opposition and the Speaker highlights the challenges faced in maintaining a balanced and democratic parliamentary environment.
As the session progresses, the Congress party continues to advocate for the right to express their views on critical national issues, while the Speaker emphasizes the need for adherence to established parliamentary rules.
The situation underscores the broader discourse on the importance of democratic practices within legislative bodies, as members from various parties navigate the complexities of parliamentary procedure and the expectations of their roles.
