• Source:JND
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Parliament Budget Session: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during a heated debate over the opposition parties' bid to impeach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Shah accused Gandhi, who often criticises the Speaker for not giving opposition leaders a chance to speak, of having an 'all-time low' attendance in Parliament. He said that when the Congress leader has a chance to speak, he is 'in Germany, in England'.

"LoP (i.e., the Leader of the Opposition) has grievances… that he is not allowed to speak, that his voice is stifled. I would like to ask him, 'who decides speak?' The Speaker? No… you have to decide. But when you have a chance you are in Germany… in England. Then he complains," the home minister said.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Rejects No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker Om Birla Amid Opposition's Sloganeering

Amit Shah also read out the attendance record of the LoP. He said, "In the 16th Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's attendance was 52 per cent… the average was 80 per cent. In the 17th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 51 per cent… the average was 66 per cent."

"Congress MPs spoke for 157 hours and 55 minutes in the 18th Lok Sabha. How much did he speak? Why did he not speak? Which Speaker stopped you? Nobody can," Shah said.

"Misinformation is being spread to defame the Lok Sabha," he added.

Shah Slams Opposition Over No-Confidence Motion Against Birla

Shah also criticised the opposition for its no-confidence motion against Birla, saying the move undermined the dignity of the Parliament. The Home Minister pointed out that when the BJP was in opposition, it had never attempted a no-confidence vote against the Speaker.

"We worked as a constructive opposition… preserved dignity of the post," Shah said. "This is not ordinary. After nearly four decades, a no-confidence motion against a Lok Sabha Speaker... It is unfortunate for parliamentary politics and for this House," he added.

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Rijiju Targets Gandhi Over Past Instances

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju referred to past instances involving the Congress MP. He referred to several instances, including when Gandhi hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, winked at fellow MPs inside Parliament, and addressed Speaker Om Birla as "yaar," a Hindi slang term.

"This can never be allowed. There are many veterans in the party who should have guided him… but they keep complaining Gandhi's mic is switched off to silence him," he said.

Lok Sabha Rejects No-Confidence Motion Against Birla

The No-confidence motion brought against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Bila was dismissed on Wednesday after the majority of the members voted against it in a voice vote. The motion was moved by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed on Tuesday.


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