Rahul Gandhi Says PM Modi Avoids Parliament Because He Fears Truth

Rahul Gandhi has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not attending Parliament because he is afraid of what Gandhi wants to say. This is happening because Gandhi wants to talk about certain topics, but the government does not want him to. The Parliament has been stopped many times because of this disagreement.
By Newsroom | Politics, India |

Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the opposition, has stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is avoiding appearances in the Lok Sabha due to a fear of confronting what Gandhi claims are the "truth." This assertion comes amidst ongoing disruptions and adjournments in the Parliament, particularly concerning Gandhi's attempt to raise specific issues. The core of the dispute appears to center on Gandhi's desire to speak about matters that the government, and specifically the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has resisted, leading to a standoff and hindering parliamentary proceedings. Gandhi's repeated statements suggest a deliberate avoidance by the Prime Minister to prevent Gandhi from presenting his case.

`PM scared of coming to the House because of what I have to say`: Rahul Gandhi - 1

Parliamentary Proceedings Marked by Standoff

The recent sessions of the Lok Sabha have been characterized by significant disruptions, with the House being adjourned multiple times. The primary catalyst for these interruptions appears to be Rahul Gandhi's persistent efforts to gain the floor and address the chamber on matters he deems important. These efforts have been met with objections from the ruling party, leading to a deadlock.

Read More: MDMK Wants More Seats to Get Official Recognition

`PM scared of coming to the House because of what I have to say`: Rahul Gandhi - 2

  • Timeline of Events: The situation escalated following the presentation of the Union Budget. Gandhi's attempt to speak before the budget discussion was a focal point, leading to adjournments. Reports indicate that Gandhi met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to discuss his request to speak, with an understanding reportedly reached that he would be allowed to address the House before the budget discussion. However, subsequent proceedings suggest this agreement did not fully materialize as intended.

  • Key Issues Raised by Gandhi: Gandhi has alluded to referencing information from what he describes as a magazine article, which he initially presented as potentially being from a book. This content, he suggests, is significant and relates to matters the Prime Minister should address. Specifically, he has mentioned General Naravane's book, stating that the Prime Minister is "scared of being handed General Naravane’s book as a first step." The content of this book or article, and its relevance to the Prime Minister, remains a point of contention.

  • Government's Stance: Members of the ruling party, including the Defence Minister, have reportedly stated that the book Gandhi is referring to has not been published. They have objected to Gandhi quoting from it, arguing it violates House rules. The BJP has also alleged that opposition protests were aimed at preventing the Prime Minister from speaking on other matters, such as the India-US trade deal.

Gandhi's Allegations of Fear and Evasion

Rahul Gandhi has consistently articulated a narrative that Prime Minister Modi's absence from specific parliamentary discussions stems from an avoidance of truth and a fear of Gandhi's statements.

Read More: Udit Narayan's First Wife Accuses Him and Family of Removing Her Uterus Without Consent

`PM scared of coming to the House because of what I have to say`: Rahul Gandhi - 3

"He’s still scared because he cannot face the truth." - Rahul Gandhi

This sentiment is reiterated across multiple statements, suggesting a perceived unwillingness on the part of the Prime Minister to engage with critical viewpoints presented by Gandhi.

`PM scared of coming to the House because of what I have to say`: Rahul Gandhi - 4

The Naravane Memoir Controversy

A significant part of the parliamentary impasse involves Gandhi's attempt to reference an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane.

  • Gandhi's Interpretation: Gandhi claims that General Naravane's writings suggest that the political leadership had, at one point, left the army "alone." He views this as a critical point that needs discussion and implies the Prime Minister is avoiding this topic.

  • Government's Counter: The government's position, as reported, is that Gandhi is attempting to quote from an unpublished book. This has led to objections from ministers, including the Defence Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah, who have urged the Speaker not to permit such references.

  • Parliamentary Rulings: Speaker Om Birla has reportedly ruled that Gandhi should not make references to the unpublished book. This ruling has contributed to the ongoing dispute over Gandhi's ability to speak.

Deliberate Obstruction or Procedural Objections?

The recurring adjournments and Gandhi's inability to speak raise questions about the motivations behind the parliamentary logjam.

Read More: Gen Z's Big Test: Can Young Voters Change Bangladesh?

  • Opposition's View: Gandhi and other opposition leaders accuse the government of actively silencing the opposition and preventing crucial discussions. They argue that the government is afraid of the "truth" Gandhi intends to present.

  • Government's View: The ruling party, on the other hand, has accused the opposition of staging protests to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and prevent the Prime Minister and government from speaking on important national issues. They contend that Gandhi's attempts to quote from an unpublished book are an attempt to undermine the government and the armed forces.

Attempts to Negotiate Floor Time

Following the disruptions, there have been efforts to resolve the deadlock and allow Gandhi to speak.

  • Meeting with the Speaker: Rahul Gandhi met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, reportedly to secure an agreement on when he would be allowed to present his points. An understanding was conveyed that Gandhi would be permitted to speak before the budget discussion.

  • Speaker's Office Response: While Gandhi indicated an agreement had been reached, a subsequent session saw the presiding chairperson note that the agenda did not include Gandhi's address, leading to further adjournment. This highlights the fluidity and complexity of reaching a consensus on parliamentary business.

Expert Analysis

Legal and parliamentary experts observe that while a member has the right to speak on issues of public importance, such discussions are subject to the rules and procedures of the House. Quoting from unpublished materials or making references that could be deemed sensitive or unsubstantiated can lead to objections and potential rulings against the speaker. The current situation reflects a common pattern of political maneuvering during parliamentary sessions, where opposition parties seek to highlight perceived government failings, and the ruling party aims to control the narrative and parliamentary agenda.

Conclusion

The prevailing narrative from Rahul Gandhi is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is deliberately avoiding the Lok Sabha due to an apprehension of Gandhi's statements. This stance is linked to Gandhi's desire to discuss matters he considers significant, particularly those potentially drawn from General Naravane's memoir, which the government disputes the propriety of quoting. The parliamentary proceedings have been consistently interrupted by these disputes, leading to multiple adjournments. While Gandhi claims to have reached an understanding with the Speaker to be allowed to speak, the practical implementation of this remains a point of contention. The situation underscores a deepening partisan divide and the challenges in conducting legislative business when fundamental disagreements over procedure and content arise.

Sources Used

Read More: Puducherry Leaders Say Elections Are Less Meaningful Without More Power

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Rahul Gandhi say the Prime Minister is not coming to Parliament?
Rahul Gandhi says the Prime Minister is scared to face the truth and hear what Gandhi has to say.
Q: What does Rahul Gandhi want to talk about in Parliament?
Rahul Gandhi wants to talk about things he believes are important, possibly related to a book by General Naravane. The government disagrees with him speaking about this.
Q: What is the government's response?
The government says the book Gandhi is referring to is not published and that he cannot quote from it. They also say the opposition is causing delays.
Q: Has Parliament been working normally?
No, Parliament has been stopped many times because of these arguments. This makes it hard to do the country's work.