In a bold political move, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has directly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, daring him to appear in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi stated he would personally hand over a copy of former Army Chief General M M Naravane's memoir to the PM if he attends the House session.
Gandhi's Provocative Statement Amid Parliamentary Turmoil
Speaking to the media within the Parliament Complex on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi held up a copy of the memoir and declared, "I don't think the PM will have the guts to come to the Lok Sabha today because if he comes, I am going to give him this book. If the PM comes, I will go physically and hand him this book so he can read it and the country can get to know the truth." This challenge comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Parliament, following the suspension of eight Opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha.
Background of the Parliamentary Standoff
The controversy erupted a day earlier when Rahul Gandhi insisted on reading excerpts from General Naravane's unpublished memoir during the Budget session. The Chair intervened, directing other members to speak instead, leading to unruly scenes in the House. In protest, Opposition MPs entered the Well and threw papers at the Speaker's podium, resulting in their suspension. The suspended members include seven Congress MPs and one CPI(M) leader, highlighting the deepening rift between the government and the Opposition.
Details from the Memoir and National Security Concerns
Rahul Gandhi emphasized the significance of the memoir, particularly its account of the Ladakh situation. He recounted, "This is Mr Naravane's book. He has given an entire account of Ladakh in this book. I have been told that I cannot quote this book." Gandhi detailed an incident where General Naravane allegedly called then-Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about Chinese tanks reaching the Kailash Ridge but received no immediate response. According to Gandhi, the PM's message was "jo uchit samjho wo karo" (do what you think is right), which he interpreted as Modi shirking responsibility.
Gandhi added, "Narendra Modi-ji gave a message that 'jo uchit samjho wo karo'. It means that Narendra Modi did not fulfil his responsibility. He told the Army chief to do whatever he wants as 'mere bas ki nahi hai'. Naravane-ji writes, 'I felt really alone, I was abandoned by the entire establishment'." This has sparked debates over national security and leadership accountability.
Escalating Political Confrontation
The standoff intensified on Tuesday as Gandhi continued his attacks after being barred from discussing the memoir. The Chair cut short his speech for ignoring directives, prompting further protests. This episode underscores the ongoing clashes between the Opposition and the government, with issues of parliamentary decorum and freedom of speech at the forefront.
As the Budget session progresses, all eyes are on whether PM Modi will respond to Gandhi's challenge and how this will impact the political landscape in New Delhi and beyond.
