New Delhi: Emphasising the new Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) background, BJP President J.P. Nadda Monday said that even though Radhakrishnan belonged to the “Congress gharana”, he not only joined the RSS shakha, but also did not give in to pressure from his family, which said the RSS was “anti-national”.
In his welcome address for Radhakrishnan, Nadda said Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had said the new V-P belonged to the “Congress gharana”, and he should keep that in mind as leader of the Upper House.
Nadda said that the way he saw it, along with what he inherited, Radhakrishnan also examined the reality and chose his own path. “It is important to emphasise this because you did come from the Congress gharana, and (yet) you joined the shakha of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. When you joined it, your family and elders disagreed and argued with you,” he said. “They said these are not good people, don’t go here… They went on to say that they (RSS) are anti-national.”
“But your response was that I have seen them, tested them, and worked with them. (And you said), they are nationalists, and the right kind of nationalists,” Nadda added.
“I want to emphasise this because you did not come under any bias or pressure, even of your own family and elders,” Nadda said. “Rather, through self-awareness and independent thinking, you chose the ideological direction of your life. This speaks about your personality, and how you have conducted yourself in your social life.”
Only an independent-minded person can take such a decision, Nadda added.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi alluded to Radhakrishnan’s RSS background in his address, talking about his contribution to the Sangathan, and how Radhakrishnan would enhance the prestige of any responsibility handed to him. Moreover, he mentioned his contribution in fighting against the Emergency.
When he was younger, Radhakrishnan had gone to Kashi, and given up eating meat, Modi added.
The House, however, descended into chaos minutes later as the Opposition, led by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien demanded a discussion on electoral reforms immediately. While Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was not refusing a discussion, he added that “four parties” did not constitute the whole Opposition. However, this is the first time the government has said on record that it is not against a discussion on the Special Intensive Review (SIR).
Showing complete unity on the issue, LoP Kharge said that it is not a few parties, but the whole Opposition which was demanding a discussion on electoral reforms. The government should not try to divide the Opposition, as such attempts will only make the Opposition stronger, he added.
Several Opposition MPs then staged a walkout even as the house proceedings continued.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Packed Winter Session: Manipur GST, atomic energy, highways & higher education bills on agenda