Controversy Erupts in Rajya Sabha Over Cash Discovery: Government and Opposition Exchange Heated Words, Congress Outraged by Name Disclosure

New Delhi, Dec 6 (NationPress) The finding of wads of currency in Rajya Sabha, specifically from seat number 222, which belongs to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, ignited a war of words between the Opposition and treasury benches on Friday.

A group of BJP lawmakers, spearheaded by Leader of House J.P. Nadda, labeled it a 'serious breach' of the House's integrity and demanded a thorough investigation. Congress representatives were visibly outraged by the disclosure of their MP’s name and challenged the government’s motives. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the legislator at the center of the controversy, expressed his disbelief over the politicization of what he deemed a bizarre issue.

The uproar in the Upper House commenced this morning after Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar announced that substantial amounts of cash had been found from seat number 222, currently assigned to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, during an anti-sabotage security check conducted on Thursday.

Dhankhar remarked, “When it was brought to my notice, I expected someone to come forward to claim it,” and informed the House that an inquiry had been initiated as per legal protocols.

Feeling embarrassed over the alleged connection of a Congress MP to the cash discovery, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised strong objections regarding the naming of Singhvi.

“A member should not be named in the case until an investigation is completed and the incident’s authenticity is verified. You are all lawyers. How can you proceed this way?” questioned the Congress President.

BJP National President J.P. Nadda emphasized that the incident is of a grave nature, as it has compromised the dignity of the House.

“I trust your ruling that a comprehensive investigation will follow,” he told Jagdeep Dhankar, adding that he hoped for a rational approach from the Opposition.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed that he found no merit in the LoP’s arguments.

“According to standard protocol, the anti-sabotage team inspected the seats to conclude the proceedings. I see no reason for objection to the Chair mentioning the member's name. I completely concur with the Chairman’s observation that a serious investigation is necessary,” Rijiju stated.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi pointed out that the absence of anyone coming forward to claim the money raises significant questions about its origin and warrants investigation.

BJP Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwari asserted that the bundles of cash represent a serious matter that necessitates thorough investigation.

Singhvi himself condemned the 'politicization' of the situation and clarified his stance. He stated that he only carries a Rs 500 note to the House and was present for merely three minutes on Thursday.

“I am truly shocked to hear about this. I was in the House yesterday at 12:57 pm, and it rose at 1 pm. Between 1 and 1:30 pm, I was having lunch with Ayodhya Prasad in the canteen. I left Parliament at 1:30 pm. Therefore, my total time in the House yesterday was three minutes, and I spent 30 minutes in the canteen. It’s baffling that politics is played even over such issues,” Singhvi remarked.