Rahul Gandhi meets Speaker Om Birla, demands expunging of derogatory remarks in Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met with Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday to request the expunging of derogatory remarks made against him by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Sambit Patra. The remarks, which were made in the House on December 5, alleged that Gandhi had links with Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros and the global investigative network OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project). Dubey and Patra further claimed that OCCRP received funding from the US government and Soros. Gandhi requested that the Speaker expunge these remarks from the official records, with Birla assuring him that the issue would be looked into.

The allegations made by the BJP MPs caused a disruption in the Lok Sabha, with Congress members protesting and demanding action against Dubey and Patra. The Congress party filed breach of privilege notices against the BJP leaders, accusing them of making defamatory statements. Congress MPs stormed the Well of the House in response, causing an adjournment of the proceedings. The opposition also raised concerns over the lack of action on their privilege notices.

The Congress party has sought to focus parliamentary discussions on key national issues, particularly the Adani controversy. The party has been pressing for a debate on the alleged financial dealings of industrialist Gautam Adani. Gandhi, however, emphasized that the Congress would not be distracted by personal attacks and would continue to push for substantive debates on important issues. He reiterated that the primary goal was to ensure the functioning of the House and allow for meaningful discussion, particularly on the Constitution, which is set to be debated on December 13.

Gandhi, addressing the disruptions in the House, stated that despite the provocations from the BJP, the Congress would work to keep the House running. He emphasized that the opposition would not allow such allegations to derail the work of the Parliament. The Congress party has also demanded that the government address the concerns over the Adani issue, which has become a major point of contention between the two parties.

The Lok Sabha Winter Session has been marked by a series of disruptions, with both the Congress and BJP demanding discussions on their respective issues. While the Congress has focused on the Adani allegations and the role of industrialists in government affairs, the BJP has defended its accusations of Congress links to Soros, accusing the opposition of attempting to destabilize the country.

In addition to the ongoing debate over the expunging of remarks, the Congress is also pushing for a larger discussion on the functioning of the House. A special debate on the Constitution is scheduled for December 13, with further discussions planned in the Rajya Sabha later in the month. Despite the ongoing political tensions, the Congress party has expressed its commitment to ensuring that Parliament continues to function and that critical national issues are addressed.