Is BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana Right to Call Rahul Gandhi Negative Over SIR?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gulam Ali Khatana criticizes Rahul Gandhi for negativity.
- The Special Intensive Review aims to update electoral rolls.
- Allegations of collusion in the electoral process.
- Amit Shah highlights the opposition's hypocrisy.
- Political tensions continue in the Lok Sabha.
New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) BJP's Rajya Sabha member Gulam Ali Khatana on Thursday condemned Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of maintaining a “negative” outlook following the Congress leader's heated exchange with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the discussion on election reforms.
The Opposition has been insisting that the current Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls in 12 states and union territories be paused, claiming that the Centre and the Election Commission of India are “colluding” to facilitate “vote theft”.
In an interview with IANS, Khatana refuted the Opposition’s claims and directed his criticism at Gandhi. “He is always negative; he doesn’t see anything positive. What could be more positive than SIR? It’s a commendable initiative. This is a vast nation, not a land of scams like 2G or coal. We are progressing towards becoming a major power, unlike a corrupt nation. Only the citizens of the country should have the right to vote. How can someone from elsewhere come and vote here?” he stated.
During his address in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Shah accused the opposition of hypocrisy, emphasizing that while they frequently challenge inaccuracies in voter lists, they raise objections when measures are taken to amend and refresh them. He asserted that the opposition’s “double standards” will have no impact.
Addressing Rahul Gandhi’s frequent press events on voter rolls, including one dubbed a “Hydrogen Bomb”, Shah pointed out that Gandhi speaks of “vote chori” despite some families, notably the Nehru-Gandhi family, being described as “generational vote chors”.
Gandhi interrupted Shah at this juncture, demanding that the Home Minister clarify why Election Commissioners have been granted immunity for actions taken during their tenure. Accusing Shah of selectively quoting from his press statements, Gandhi challenged him to engage in a debate. In response, Shah firmly stated that Gandhi cannot dictate the order of his speech points.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticized Gandhi for adopting a ‘hit-and-run’ tactic in Parliament, reproaching the Leader of Opposition for walking out during the proceedings on Wednesday.
In an interview with IANS, Singh remarked, “Rahul Gandhi adopts a hit-and-run approach. He claims he will speak at his convenience; while people listen to him then, he exits when the Prime Minister and Home Minister are speaking. This is his interpretation of democracy -- he lacks the patience to hear the truth.”