New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) – BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging breach of privilege proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for what he termed as a "blatant vilification campaign" and "spreading canards" during his speech in the House.
Gandhi’s address on Monday, delivered as part of the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, sparked strong objections from the ruling BJP. Dubey, in his letter to the Speaker, accused the Leader of Opposition of misusing his parliamentary privilege by making unverified allegations.
The BJP MP highlighted several of Gandhi’s claims, including assertions that India does not manufacture mobile phones but only assembles them and that China has encroached upon Indian territory. Gandhi also alleged that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had been sent to the U.S. to seek an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend former U.S. President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony. Additionally, he raised concerns over electoral rolls for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and the law governing the appointment of the Election Commissioner.
Dubey stated that Gandhi's remarks not only distorted historical and factual realities but also attempted to ridicule India and undermine its democratic institutions. He pointed out that Speaker Om Birla had asked Gandhi to authenticate his claims, which he had yet to do.
In a sharp critique, Dubey referred to Gandhi as an "erudite" individual who had neither provided evidence for his statements nor apologized for what he termed as an attempt to defame the country and its elected government. He accused the Congress leader of exploiting Article 105 of the Constitution— which grants privileges to parliamentarians— to make unfounded claims without accountability.
Dubey further asserted that the privilege accorded to MPs is not absolute and must adhere to constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures. He accused Gandhi of believing that neither the presiding officer nor the ruling party had the authority to check his conduct in the House.
"The fact remains that Article 105 does not grant absolute powers or freedom to any MP, especially one like Rahul Gandhi, or else there would be anarchy in Parliament," Dubey said. He added that MPs' privileges are subject to widely accepted norms and responsibilities.
Calling for action against Gandhi, Dubey alleged that his repeated "irresponsible" behavior in Parliament aligns with what he described as a "foreign tool-kit" aimed at destabilizing India.
During his speech, Gandhi had criticized the Modi government’s 'Make in India' initiative, claiming it had failed. He also made a veiled reference to India's diplomatic outreach, stating, "When we talk to the US, we wouldn’t send our foreign minister to (get) our PM invited to his (U.S. President's) coronation. We will not send our foreign minister three or four times (to say) please invite our prime minister."
Several BJP MPs, including Union ministers, objected to Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of making "unsubstantiated allegations" in the House.
With tensions escalating over Gandhi's statements, the Speaker’s response to Dubey’s breach of privilege notice will be closely watched in the coming days.
Gandhi’s address on Monday, delivered as part of the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, sparked strong objections from the ruling BJP. Dubey, in his letter to the Speaker, accused the Leader of Opposition of misusing his parliamentary privilege by making unverified allegations.
The BJP MP highlighted several of Gandhi’s claims, including assertions that India does not manufacture mobile phones but only assembles them and that China has encroached upon Indian territory. Gandhi also alleged that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had been sent to the U.S. to seek an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend former U.S. President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony. Additionally, he raised concerns over electoral rolls for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and the law governing the appointment of the Election Commissioner.
Dubey stated that Gandhi's remarks not only distorted historical and factual realities but also attempted to ridicule India and undermine its democratic institutions. He pointed out that Speaker Om Birla had asked Gandhi to authenticate his claims, which he had yet to do.
In a sharp critique, Dubey referred to Gandhi as an "erudite" individual who had neither provided evidence for his statements nor apologized for what he termed as an attempt to defame the country and its elected government. He accused the Congress leader of exploiting Article 105 of the Constitution— which grants privileges to parliamentarians— to make unfounded claims without accountability.
Dubey further asserted that the privilege accorded to MPs is not absolute and must adhere to constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures. He accused Gandhi of believing that neither the presiding officer nor the ruling party had the authority to check his conduct in the House.
"The fact remains that Article 105 does not grant absolute powers or freedom to any MP, especially one like Rahul Gandhi, or else there would be anarchy in Parliament," Dubey said. He added that MPs' privileges are subject to widely accepted norms and responsibilities.
Calling for action against Gandhi, Dubey alleged that his repeated "irresponsible" behavior in Parliament aligns with what he described as a "foreign tool-kit" aimed at destabilizing India.
During his speech, Gandhi had criticized the Modi government’s 'Make in India' initiative, claiming it had failed. He also made a veiled reference to India's diplomatic outreach, stating, "When we talk to the US, we wouldn’t send our foreign minister to (get) our PM invited to his (U.S. President's) coronation. We will not send our foreign minister three or four times (to say) please invite our prime minister."
Several BJP MPs, including Union ministers, objected to Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of making "unsubstantiated allegations" in the House.
With tensions escalating over Gandhi's statements, the Speaker’s response to Dubey’s breach of privilege notice will be closely watched in the coming days.
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