New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Narendra Modi government of suppressing Opposition voices in Parliament. He said BJP members repeatedly blocked Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi from speaking for four consecutive days.
Kharge spoke to reporters outside Parliament after Opposition MPs staged a walkout during the Prime Minister’s reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha. He said the ruling party deliberately prevented Opposition leaders from presenting their views in both Houses.
According to Kharge, neither the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha nor the Rajya Sabha received an opportunity to speak. He said Opposition parties wanted to raise issues related to democracy, social justice, youth employment, and recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump.
Kharge said the Opposition had agreed to listen to the Prime Minister’s reply if Rahul Gandhi was allowed to speak. He alleged the ruling party refused this demand, leaving the Opposition with no option other than walking out of the House.
The Congress chief also criticised the Modi government over the India US trade agreement. He alleged the Prime Minister yielded to pressure from President Trump and compromised the interests of Indian farmers. He said opening Indian markets to American agricultural products would harm the farming sector and weaken farmer livelihoods.
Kharge questioned why details of the agreement were shared outside Parliament instead of being discussed inside the House. He alleged the government failed to follow parliamentary norms.
He also objected to the language used by ruling party members against former prime ministers. Kharge said abusive remarks targeted leaders who contributed to India’s independence and nation building. He said the ruling party remained silent during such attacks.
Referring to Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Kharge said Nehru laid the foundation of modern India and Indira Gandhi sparked a national awakening. He warned insults against such leaders would face firm resistance.
