New Delhi: Congress on Friday continued with its protests in the Lok Sabha against the "defamatory" comments of a BJP member against its leaders and staged a walkout, along with Trinamool, RJD and JD(U), after their demand for an apology from him drew no assurance from either the Speaker or government.
Congress members stormed the Well as soon as the House assembled for the day and began raising slogans against the government. They had also displayed some placards. An unfazed Speaker Sumitra Mahajan carried on with the Question Hour before she allowed Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to speak when the Zero Hour began.
Kharge said BJP member Virendra Singh has not only refused to apologise but also insisted that he stood by what he had said in his attack on Congress leaders. Noting that the ministers had said they did not approve of his comments, he said a lack of apology from him meant that he was in fact being supported by the government.
"It is happening and we are not getting any protection from you (Speaker) as well. He should either tender an apology or you should suspend him," he said. As he continued, the Speaker disallowed him, saying he cannot raise the same issue again and again. Congress has been protesting since Thursday against the "extremely objectionable, derogatory and defamatory" remarks by Virendra Singh on Rahul Gandhi and the rest of Nehru-Gandhi family.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy hit back at Congress, saying its members have been continuously raising slogans and insulting even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. TMC leader Sudip Bandhopadhyaya supported Kharge, saying if the BJP member apologises, it would help in the smooth functioning of the House. He asked, "Why is this member getting support from the government?"
At this, the Speaker asked him "can you guarantee it?" She added that she was not sure about it as Congress members have been bringing up some or the other issue. Rudy said the issue was just an excuse for Congress to disrupt the House. Congress then staged a walkout and was joined by TMC, RJD and JD(U) members.
Singh, member from Bhadoi in Uttar Pradesh, had made the remarks in the House on Wednesday while participating in a discussion on drought situation. Disapproving of his comments, Mahajan had expunged them but Congress has said it would not be satisified with anything short of an apology.
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