Rahul’s UK comments, Oppn demand for Adani-Hindenburg probe stall Parliament’s Budget session

Union minister Giriraj Singh wants Rahul tried for sedition, while Oppn alleges mics are switched every time they raise Adani issue.

Proceedings of Lok Sabha underway during Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on 13 March 2023 | Photo: PTI

New Delhi: There was pandemonium in Parliament Monday morning with adjournments in both Houses after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to apologise for his “anti-democracy” remarks, made during his recent UK tour.

Previous to the floor opening, the ruling party and the Opposition firmed up their agenda for Monday – the first day of the second Budget session. The BJP was firm in its condemnation of Gandhi’s comments, while the Opposition strategised how to counter it, as well as continue its demand for a joint-parliamentary committee probe into the Adani-Hindenburg row.

As soon as proceedings began in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Prahlad Jodhi asked for Gandhi’s apology for his sustained attack on the government and its alleged “anti-democratic” practices before different UK audiences, including its Parliament.

The Opposition leaders rushed to the well of the House, following which Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm. Similar scenes played out in Rajya Sabha and Speaker Jagdeep Dhankar took the same decision.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: “There is no rule of law and democracy under Modiji. They are running the country like a dictatorship, and then they talk about democracy.”

He added: “We are demanding the constitution of a joint-parliamentary committee on the Adani stocks issue. “When we raise this issue, mics are switched off and a ruckus erupts,” he complained.

#WATCH | Opposition MPs protest against Central government, demand JPC in Adani stocks issue, in Parliament pic.twitter.com/FWPagDp3SZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2023

On the other hand, Union minister Giriraj Singh said Rahul told a London audience that MPs were not allowed to speak in Parliament. “This is an insult to Lok Sabha,” he said, adding, “The House Speaker should take action against him on this statement. A sedition case should be registered against him for insulting our democracy.”