Hyderabad, Mar 24 (PTI) The Telangana Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a heated exchange over the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, as the ruling Congress linked Nathuram Godse to the RSS, while BJP floor leader Maheshwar Reddy countered that the Sangh had no ties to the assassin.
During a discussion on the Budget, state Panchayat Raj Minister D Anasuya Seethakka interrupted Reddy when he was listing out the central government’s developmental schemes.
Seethakka questioned why ‘Bapuji’s’ name was removed from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the new VB – G RAM G Act.
“Mahatma Gandhi, who renounced everything, was killed by RSS followers. Gandhi won us independence. You have removed their name (MGNREGA). It is Godse who killed Gandhiji,” she said.
She further claimed that it was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a Congress leader, who banned the RSS.
“It is you people who pay homage to Godse, describing him as a valiant fighter. How is it right to praise a person who killed a great leader who got independence for our country?” she asked.
In response, Reddy requested Speaker G Prasad Kumar to expunge Seethakka’s comments on the RSS from the House records.
“It is subjudice. Because Godse was never an RSS member. Even the Supreme Court clarified this. They(Seethakka) should withdraw those words. Those words pertaining to RSS should be expunged from records,” Reddy said.
Minister Ponnal Prabhakar found fault with the BJP for holding a protest near the assembly on Monday.
Minister Vakiti Srihari challenged the BJP members to condemn Godse’s actions.
“I am a hardcore Hindu. But I do not use it for political gains,” Srihari asserted.
Replying to Srihari’s comments, the BJP floor leader said, “It is true that Godse killed Gandhi. The whole world knows it and he was also hanged. But Godse was never a member of RSS. He was not related to RSS. I am asking the ministers who are making unnecessary fuss about it, that it is not good to deviate from the subject.” Industries Minister D Sridhar Badu accused the Centre of financial injustice to Telangana.
He noted that Telangana is contributing five per cent to the national GDP and Rs 60,000 crore by way of taxes every year. PTI GDK ROH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.