NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday accused the central government of avoiding discussions on the Adani issue in Parliament. She alleged that the BJP was using a strategy to disrupt proceedings in the Lok Sabha because it did not want the issue to be debated.
“They (BJP) are scared of discussing the Adani issue. I am new in Parliament but till now the PM was not seen in the Parliament. Why should we not raise this issue?” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.
Several Opposition MPs protested in the Parliament premises over the Adani issue. They carried black bags with caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and businessman Gautam Adani printed on them. The bags also had the slogan “Modi Adani Bhai Bhai” written on one side.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day following disruptions during the proceedings. After the House was adjourned for the day, Priyanka Gandhi told reporters, “Either the government does not want to run the House, or they are not capable of running the House. Our protest is from 10:30 (am) to 11:00 (am), and then we go inside the House for work, but work is not happening.”
She added, “As soon as we sit, they start something to get the House adjourned. I think it is their strategy; they do not want a discussion.”
Priyanka Gandhi highlighted the need to discuss the allegations against Adani in the context of claims made in the United States. “It has been said in the US that they (Adani) have given crores in bribe to increase the electricity bill of the people and make profit,” she alleged.
‘Ridiculous’: Priyanka on George Soros controversy
Responding to BJP’s accusations that opposition leaders had links with US billionaire George Soros, Priyanka Gandhi dismissed them, saying, “I think it is the most ridiculous thing they could come up with. Nobody has a record of it. Nobody knows what they are talking about.” She added, “The only reason they are doing it is because they don’t want to discuss Adani.”
Earlier in the day, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress and its leadership of colluding with George Soros and anti-India forces, leading to disruptions in the Lok Sabha. During Zero Hour, Rijiju criticized Congress leaders for “attacking the dignity” of Parliament by wearing masks and jackets with caricatures.
Opposition members protested and entered the Well of the House as Rijiju spoke. The minister said Congress leaders’ actions were preventing other members from raising issues related to their constituencies.
