Is Congress Right to Recall Disruption of PM Singh's Reply in LS?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) Maintaining its confrontational stance in the Lok Sabha, the Congress asserted on Thursday that it was not unusual for the Leader of the House to be obstructed from addressing the Motion of Thanks due to protesting Opposition members.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and party General Secretary overseeing communications, posted archival video footage of Lok Sabha sessions where the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh disclosed that he was barred from responding to the Motion of Thanks on June 10, 2004.
Ramesh stated on social media, “This video captures Dr. Manmohan Singh’s address on March 10, 2005, where he mentions being prevented from responding to the Motion of Thanks on June 10, 2004.”
“To remind everyone - on June 10, 2004, the Prime Minister was obstructed by the BJP from delivering his speech regarding the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address,” remarked Congress leader Ramesh, drawing parallels to the current impasse in the Lok Sabha.
This statement was made on a day when the Lok Sabha approved the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address without a formal response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amidst ongoing chants from Opposition MPs.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi's scheduled address in Parliament at 5 p.m. was postponed due to the Lok Sabha being adjourned until Thursday morning, following persistent uproar and loud protesting from the Opposition members.
In the last two days, Opposition members have repeatedly clashed with the Treasury Benches regarding the denial of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s speech, referencing excerpts from an article based on unpublished memoirs of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane.
The LoP had previously asserted that the book included references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
This led to vigorous protests from the Treasury Benches, with members insisting that LoP Gandhi comply with parliamentary regulations and only present “credible sources” within the House.