New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday, accusing him of obstructing the functioning of the House. Tagore emphasized that it is the duty of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to facilitate smooth operations in Parliament, yet Rijiju has seemingly developed a habit of neglecting this responsibility.

In statements made to IANS outside Parliament, Tagore expressed, “Kiren Rijiju does not seem inclined for the House to run efficiently. The role of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister involves running the House, but Rijiju has cultivated a pattern of inaction.”

He further claimed that the government is engaging in actions that breach parliamentary standards. Tagore referenced a video purportedly released by Rijiju and questioned its intent and content.

“This is indicative of their actions which disregard parliamentary protocols. In the video released — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is absent. So, whose ‘gherao’ were these MPs attempting? If the Prime Minister had been present, the situation would have been different,” he posed.

Tagore asserted that this incident demonstrates Rijiju's lack of focus on ensuring the House’s efficient operation. He criticized the minister for prioritizing video sharing over addressing pressing parliamentary matters.

“This indicates that Kiren Rijiju does not wish to manage the House. He is not fulfilling the responsibilities of a Parliamentary Affairs Minister and is merely capable of posting videos. He might as well create TikTok content. He cannot effectively manage Parliament,” Tagore stated to IANS.

“His videos often lack substance and have only resulted in detriment to Parliament. As long as he remains the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, I doubt the House will function properly,” he added.

Earlier, Kiren Rijiju shared footage of the confrontation that occurred in Lok Sabha on February 4, criticizing what he termed the “most degrading behavior” of Congress and Opposition MPs, which could have escalated into chaos if not handled cautiously.

The incident in question transpired on February 4 during a session where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to address the Motion of Thanks regarding the President's Address. Several women Congress MPs approached the Prime Minister’s chair, seemingly intending to obstruct his entry and confront him.

The newly released video depicts women MPs encircling the Prime Minister’s chair and resisting despite multiple pleas from Union Ministers.

In the footage, ministers such as Ashwini Vaishnaw, Giriraj Singh, and other MPs can be seen attempting to persuade the women lawmakers to return to their seats and abstain from such unparliamentary behavior, but they remained adamant with banners and posters.

This situation led Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to request the Prime Minister to withdraw from the proceedings, as it could have resulted in an unpleasant and chaotic scenario. Consequently, the Lower House passed the Motion of Thanks without the Prime Minister's address.

Rijiju, criticizing the Congress party for encouraging its women MPs to obstruct the aisle where the Prime Minister would walk into the House, asserted that BJP lawmakers displayed maturity and restraint during the situation, preventing the House from descending into total chaos.

“The Congress Party seems proud of the most degrading behavior shown by their MPs! Had we not restrained all BJP MPs and permitted the Women MPs to confront Congress MPs, it would have resulted in a very unpleasant scene. We hold the dignity and sanctity of Parliament in high regard,” he concluded while sharing the video.