Parliament logjam: Congress attacks Modi, Shah, calls them 'boastful duo'

Following the continued Parliament impasse, the Congress on Saturday (August 8) accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being responsible for the logjam, calling them a “boastful duo full of bluff and bluster”.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that Shah lacked the courage to face MPs and respond to questions over the alleged police brutality against student protesters, while Modi had remained silent on the “chanda chori” issue.

Also read: Amid Opposition pressure, Amit Shah likely to attend Parliament next week

Ramesh said the “boastful duo full of bluff and bluster” had now been exposed as “cowardly”. “Parliament has not functioned normally for 15 consecutive days for one and only one reason: The Union Home Minister has refused to come to both Houses and give a statement on police brutalities on protesting youth and students, especially on July 20,” he said in his post.

Congress slams Amit Shah

The Congress leader said Shah comes to his chamber and sits for long hours but lacks the courage to face MPs in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to answer questions about the Delhi Police's actions against students protesting the NEET paper leak in the national capital last month.

These actions are directly under his charge and control, he said. "His continued absence is unprecedented," he noted.

Also read: ‘Amit Shah’s presence in Parliament is a constitutional obligation, not optional’

"Parliament has another four days in this session. The Union Home Minister must first speak on police excesses. The Prime Minister must speak on the 'Chanda Chori Aastha Dhoka' by the very Trust whose creation he had so grandly announced on the floor of the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020. His hand-picked Trust has betrayed the trust and faith of all Indians, and he cannot remain silent on it," the Congress leader said.

Parliament logjam continues

Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, Congress and other opposition parties have stalled proceedings in both Houses of Parliament over the issues of police action against protesting students and the alleged Ram temple donation theft.

Also read: Oppn demands Amit Shah’s presence in RS, ‘echo their sentiments to HM’, Chair tells Rijiju

The Home Minister on Friday (August 7) met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid the ongoing stalemate between the government and the opposition. Shah spent nearly an hour in Birla's office. Separately, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Shah in his office at Parliament House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted in the Lok Sabha that the opposition cannot dictate which minister will come to the House and respond. He said Shah comes to Parliament every day and stays till late at night.