Union Minister Anurag Thakur slammed the Congress’ “drama” over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha on Monday, questioning whether Opposition leaders will “continue to wear black clothes after their black deeds.”
Thakur also mocked Rahul Gandhi, claiming that he was not ready to accept the Surat court’s verdict in a 2019 defamation case based on his ‘Modi surname’ remark. Members of the Opposition parties marched from the Parliament complex to Vijay Chowk earlier today in protest of the Centre’s inaction on the Adani issue.
“Rahul Gandhi and Congress have been insulting the OBC community. Has the Congress party stopped believing in the courts? Rahul Gandhi’s arrogance is such that he did not apologise to the OBC community, or in the court. He is not ready to accept the court’s judgment. The order was off the court. His membership ended soon after the court delivered its verdict. Why are they creating this drama now?” Thakur said.
“They are not letting the Parliament session run for one man who goes abroad and insults India. And when he returns, the Parliament cannot run if he does not speak. Will the Congress party keep on insulting the OBC community like this? Will Congress keep wearing black clothes after doing black deeds? Will the party now resort to black magic to save itself?” the union minister.
When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s claims that he would never express regret for criticising the BJP-led government, Thakur said that even in his “best dreams,” the Congress leader could never be Veer Savarkar because it required strong determination and love for the country.
Gandhi recently stated in a press conference, “My name is not Savarkar, it is Gandhi, and Gandhi never apologises.”
“Rahul Gandhi can never be Savarkar. Savarkar never went abroad to roam for six months. He was dedicated to the country’s freedom. Rahul Gandhi can never be Veer Savarkar but he should have respected former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Nehru. He insulted them also along with Savarkar. A post stamp was issued (on Savarkar) during your government in 1970. Indira Gandhi had written a letter and talked about Savarkar’s contribution,” he said.
Earlier today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the Centre over the Adani issue and Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a Lok Sabha MP, claiming that opposition leaders are dressed in black to demonstrate how democracy is being trampled in the country. Kharge claimed that the Centre used the investigation agencies to sway those who refused to submit to the government.
“I thank the opposition leaders for raising their voices against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification. Why are we here in black clothes? We want to show that PM Modi is ending democracy in the country. He first finished autonomous bodies, then they put up their own govt everywhere by threatening those who had won polls. Then they used ED, CBI to use bend those who didn’t bow,” Kharge said.
“They ask for authenticity for everything in the Parliament. The government has not been able to answer the questions raised by us. MPs of 18 parties are here today. Not a single party is missing. We are asking for a JPC on the matter. The truth will come out. Records will be checked. Whatever will come out, will be known to all. There will be transparency. Why are you scared of constituting a JPC? You have a majority. You (BJP) will have more members in the JPC or will have your allies,” he said.
“You are scared which means that there is something fishy. So we are all together today to show unity,” Kharge stressed.
Opposition MPs met today in the LoP Rajya Sabha chamber and Congress chief Kharge in the Parliament building to plan the day’s strategy. The meeting was attended by the DMK, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), Bharat Rashtra Samithi, CPI(M), RJD, Nationalist Congress Party, CPI, IUML, MDMK, Kerala Congress, TMC, RSP, AAP, J-K NC, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction).
Trinamool Congress MPs also attended the meeting, which marked a significant development following Rahul Gandhi’s suspension as a Lok Sabha MP. TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a BJP critic, backed Rahul Gandhi.
“In PM Modi’s New India, Opposition leaders have become the prime target of the BJP! While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches. Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy,” the TMC Supremo had earlier said.
Kharge welcomed the TMC’s decision to attend the meeting, saying that anyone who wants to “protect democracy” is welcome.
“I thank everyone who supported this. That is why, I thanked everyone yesterday and I thank them today as well. We welcome anyone who comes forward to protect democracy and Constitution and safeguard the people. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the people who support us,” the Congress chief said.
