NDA MPs Launch Scathing Attack on Rahul Gandhi Over Speaker Removal Motion
In a heated parliamentary session on Wednesday, MPs from the governing National Democratic Alliance (NDA) launched a fierce verbal assault on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, branding him a "leader of propaganda" who is accustomed to dynastic privilege and cannot accept equal treatment with others. The criticism came during a debate on the opposition's resolution calling for the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
BJP Leaders Accuse Gandhi of Believing Rules Don't Apply to Him
BJP's Anurag Thakur led the charge with sharp allegations against the Congress leader. "Rahul Gandhi thinks the rules are not for him, but he is the rule. One family thinks that it is above the rules and procedures of the House and above the Constitution," Thakur asserted in the Lok Sabha.
Drawing an analogy to emphasize his point, Thakur likened Speaker Om Birla to a school principal determined to enforce discipline. He stated that those dissatisfied with the principal's leadership were free to leave the institution, emphasizing that "the Speaker is not going anywhere." Thakur also noted that remarks from several ruling party MPs, including his own, had been expunged by the Speaker in the past, demonstrating impartiality.
Thakur further criticized Gandhi's political tactics, suggesting he suffers from "FOMO" (fear of missing out) and makes sensational allegations merely to remain in the news cycle. This characterization culminated in the repeated label of "leader of propaganda."
Accusations of Anarchic Intent and Dynastic Privilege
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad intensified the attack by accusing the opposition, particularly Congress and Rahul Gandhi, of harboring "anarchic thoughts" and attempting to transform Parliament into a state of anarchy. He described the motion to remove the Speaker as an effort to satisfy someone's ego, a clear jab at Gandhi, and firmly stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's integrity "can never be compromised."
Prasad issued a stern warning to the Leader of Opposition, urging him to "measure his words carefully," especially on matters concerning national security.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya echoed these sentiments, focusing on the theme of dynastic entitlement. "Those accustomed to dynastic privilege often mistake even equal treatment for injustice," Surya declared. He alleged that members of the Gandhi family perceive themselves as royalty who are incapable of wrongdoing, highlighting their alleged inability to accept equal treatment before the law.
Defense of Speaker and Institutional Integrity
Amidst the political fray, TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti rose in defense of Speaker Om Birla, praising his conduct and warning against attempts to undermine the institution. "I am not defending an individual alone; I am defending the integrity of this House. The authority of the Speaker is not a personal privilege. It is an institutional necessity," Tenneti stated.
He characterized efforts to "erode" the Speaker's standing under the guise of political disagreement as dangerous, emphasizing the need to protect parliamentary institutions from partisan attacks.
Owaisi Criticizes Both Sides of the Aisle
AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi, who is not aligned with any major political bloc, offered a critique of both the government and the opposition. He accused the government of attempting to overpower the legislature but also slammed opposition parties for neglecting representatives from smaller parties like his own.
Owaisi addressed accusations that he functions as the "B team" of the BJP, a claim he referenced during his remarks, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play beyond the primary NDA versus opposition conflict.
The parliamentary exchange underscores the deepening political divisions as the opposition challenges the authority of the Speaker, while the ruling alliance mounts a robust defense of both the individual and the institution, using the platform to launch pointed personal and political attacks against Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party.
