New Delhi, March 9 Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged on Monday that the government was preventing discussion on the West Asia situation in Parliament, fearing it would expose how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been "blackmailed" and is "compromised".
Gandhi also alleged that the prime minister has "fled from Parliament" and will not be able to enter the House.
The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha said that all opposition parties want a discussion on West Asia, as it involves the issues of rising fuel prices and economic devastation.
"These are issues that are important to the people, and therefore we want to discuss them," Gandhi told reporters outside the Parliament House complex after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.
"There is a fight for a paradigm shift that is going on, which will severely harm our economy. You have seen what has happened in the stock markets. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has signed the US deal. The country is going to suffer a major blow," he said.
"So, what is the problem in discussing these issues?" he asked.
Gandhi said that the no-confidence motion moved against Speaker Om Birla can be taken up after a discussion on the West Asia situation.
"We are demanding that, and then we will discuss other issues. Do you think the West Asia issue is not important? Rising fuel prices and economic devastation – are these not important? These are issues that are important to the people, and therefore we want to discuss them," Gandhi said.
"They (the government) don't want to discuss these issues, because other things will come up, and questions will be raised about Narendra Modi being blackmailed and compromised, that's why he has fled from Parliament. Now he won't be able to enter the House," the former Congress president claimed.
The Lok Sabha on Monday could not take up a resolution seeking the removal of Birla amid repeated adjournments, as opposition members demanded a debate on the West Asia situation. The government and the Chair accused the opposition of holding the House proceedings "hostage" to its demands.
The House was adjourned for the day shortly after it reassembled at 3 pm, following an earlier adjournment due to relentless protests by opposition members.