'Where was your PM?': Kharge, Rijiju clash in Rajya Sabha over West Asia conflict

Tempers flared in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (April 1) as Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju locked horns over the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Kharge lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for skipping the all-party meeting on the issue, and when Rijiju countered, accusing the Opposition of resorting to politics over the issue, the irate Congress veteran questioned the Union Minister’s authority to speak on the issue and dubbed other ministers as “dummy.”

"Should we attend to listen to your lecture? What authority do you have? You are all dummy ministers. You don't have power. I condemn such a statement," the Leader of Opposition said.

Rijiju’s ‘irresponsible statements’ jibe

Rijiju hit back, accusing Kharge of failing to uphold the dignity of his post and alleging that he was making irresponsible statements.

"He does not uphold the dignity of his position. He himself gives irresponsible statements. Their Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha also is like that ...," the minister alleged. He also accused Kharge of “abusing” the Prime Minister.

Also Read: West Asia conflict may have prolonged impact, warns PM Modi, urges preparedness

Rijiju said the BJP is ready to sacrifice some of the allotted time remaining with it on the CAPF Bill. "I will not tell other members to sacrifice their time, but we will sacrifice our time, as some of our members will speak but for a lesser time. If it is required, we can sit a little after 6 PM," he said.

Opposition flags lack of discussion

At this point, Kharge accused the government of forcing its agenda while ignoring the opposition's concerns. "They bring bills whenever they want. They are ready for a discussion anytime and come out with a statement anytime."

Also Read: PM Modi on West Asia conflict: Highlights of his Lok Sabha speech

The Leader of the Opposition said he has written to the Chair twice to take up a short-duration discussion on the West Asia conflict, but no time has been allotted. "The entire world is suffering due to LPG, gas and other things and prices are rising here. But why are they not agreeing to a discussion?" "Whatever we suggest, they disagree. And, whatever they want, they put (in the agenda) and declare forcibly with a voice vote. What is this? Is it democracy?" he asked.

Addressing the Chairman, he said, "We thought that after you came, the opposition would get more justice." The Chairman countered Kharge, saying, "You are getting more time than the treasury benches; I will give you the data."

Government defends its position

Rijiju then said that many members raised the West Asia issue in the business advisory committee meeting, where it was stated that the government is not running away from a discussion.

Also Read: ‘Severe setback to India’: Congress on reports of Pakistan mediation in West Asia

"What the Leader of Opposition is saying is not right. Firstly, the ministers concerned made their statements in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Then the prime minister made a detailed statement in Parliament,” he said.

"There is a problem here. They want to speak what they want, but they don't want to listen. It is just the opposite happening here. They accuse us but don't listen to the government here," the Parliamentary Affairs minister added.

‘Where was your PM’

He said that when an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis was convened, none of the leaders of the opposition from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha attended, even though Congress members and those of other opposition parties were present.

Countering Rijiju, Kharge said, "Where was your prime minister. Where was he? You were there as the government representative; I had also sent our representative. Your prime minister was not there. Should we attend to listen to your lecture? What authority do you have...." Hitting back, Rijiju said they have always given respect to the Leader of the Opposition.

Also Read: Congress slams PM Modi’s West Asia Lok Sabha speech, flags LPG concerns

"They only indulge in abusing the prime minister, both inside and outside the Parliament, day in and out. We consider the leader of the Opposition as senior and think he would talk responsibly while upholding the dignity of the position he holds.

"He does not uphold the dignity of his position. He himself gives irresponsible statements. Their leader of opposition in Lok Sabha also is like that ...," the minister alleged.

(With agency inputs)