Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the government was not allowing a discussion in Parliament on the situation in West Asia as it feared the debate would expose Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House complex after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day, Gandhi claimed that the government was avoiding the discussion because it could raise questions about the prime minister.
“They don't want to discuss that, as other things will come up, questions will be raised about Narendra Modi having been blackmailed and compromised,” the former Congress president said.
Gandhi also alleged that the prime minister had “fled from Parliament” and would not be able to enter the House.
The leader of the opposition said all opposition parties were demanding a discussion on the West Asia situation as it had direct implications for India’s economy, including rising fuel prices and broader economic concerns.
“These are people's issues we consider important, and therefore we want to discuss that,” Gandhi said.
He argued that the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia could have significant economic consequences for India.
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“There is a fight for a paradigm shift that is going on which will harm our economy big time. You have seen what has happened in stock markets. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has signed the US deal. The country is going to suffer a severe blow,” he said.
Gandhi questioned why the government was reluctant to allow a debate on the issue.
“So what is the problem in discussing these issues?” he asked.
The Congress leader said the opposition was not opposed to discussing the no-confidence motion moved against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, but insisted that the West Asia issue should be taken up first.
“We are demanding that, and then we will discuss other issues. What do you think, the West Asia issue is not important? Fuel price, economic devastation, are they not important?” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha could not take up a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Birla amid repeated adjournments as opposition members continued to demand a debate on the West Asia crisis.
The government and the Chair accused the opposition of holding the proceedings of the House “hostage” to its demands, and the House was adjourned for the day shortly after it reassembled at 3 pm following earlier disruptions.
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