Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has accused Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of refusing to let him speak during a parliamentary session. Gandhi claimed that the Speaker "ran away" when he attempted to address the issue of unemployment in the House.
The Congress MP has previously alleged that his microphone was switched off during his attempts to raise significant matters.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament complex, Gandhi expressed his frustration over being denied the opportunity to voice his concerns. He remarked, "There is a convention that the Leader of the Opposition is allowed to speak. I requested him to let me speak, but he just ran away. This is no way to run the House. The Speaker just left and did not let me speak... he said something unsubstantiated about me and then adjourned the House."
Gandhi further criticised the Speaker's handling of the House proceedings, accusing him of acting in an "undemocratic manner." He claimed that his repeated attempts to address key issues over the past week had been ignored. "I have not been allowed to speak in the last 7-8 days.
There is no place for the Opposition; there is only space for the government. The Prime Minister spoke about the Kumbh Mela. I also wanted to speak about unemployment, but I wasn't allowed," Gandhi stated.
During the session, Speaker Om Birla reportedly reminded Gandhi to adhere to parliamentary rules to maintain the House's decorum.
Birla remarked, "In this House, father and daughter, mother and daughter, husband and wife have been members. In this context, I expect the Leader of the Opposition to conduct himself in accordance with Rule 349, which deals with rules to be observed by members."
Following the incident, a delegation of 70 Congress MPs, including Gaurav Gogoi and KC Venugopal, met the Speaker to express their discontent over Gandhi's treatment.
They conveyed their disappointment at what they perceived as a lack of space for Opposition voices in the House.
This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about being silenced in the Lok Sabha. In June last year, he alleged that his microphone was switched off while discussing the NEET paper leak issue.
At that time, Speaker Om Birla clarified that he did not have the power to turn off MPs' microphones, dismissing Gandhi's claims.
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