Kharge writes back to Amit Shah, asks if it’s demeaning for PM to make a statement on Manipur inside the House

'Your letter dated July 25 is contrary to facts. You must be aware that INDIA allies have been consistently demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament on the situation in Manipur since May 3'

Mallikarjun Kharge: File Photo

Sanjay K. Jha, TT,  New Delhi,  27.07.23  :  Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday ripped into the perceived hypocrisy of Union home minister Amit Shah who has sought the cooperation of Opposition parties at a time Prime Minister Narendra Modi has compared the new alliance with a terror outfit and a coloniser.

Responding to a letter written by Shah on Tuesday seeking the Opposition's cooperation in resuming Parliament where proceedings have been held up by protests over the Manipur violence and the Prime Minister's failure to respond to calls for a statement in both Houses, Kharge pointed to the collapse of the relationship between the government and the Opposition for years, apart from the reluctance of the BJP to address this crisis.

The situation appears so irredeemable that the Opposition was on Wednesday compelled to table a no-confidence motion only to try to bring Modi to the Lok Sabha.

A no-confidence motion is usually moved on the overall failure of a government, but the Opposition’s hasty move seemed solely driven by Modi’s refusal to face Parliament on the question of Manipur.

Kharge asked Shah in his reply: “Is it demeaning for the Prime Minister to make a statement on Manipur inside the House?” The Congress demanded immediate consideration of the no-confidence motion, preferably on Thursday.

Contending that there was a disconnect between the words and deeds of the government, Kharge told Shah: “The Prime Minister compares the Opposition parties with colonial rulers and terror outfits and, on the same day, the home minister writes an emotional letter seeking a constructive approach from the Opposition. The lack of coordination between the government and the Opposition is seen for years and now this gulf is visible even within the ruling establishment. It is not only illogical but unfortunate for the Prime Minister to describe the Opposition parties as directionless.”

On Tuesday, Modi had mocked the Opposition coalition, INDIA, by saying the East India Company and banned outfits like the Indian Mujahideen also had “India” in their names.

Kharge wrote to Shah: “Contrary to the spirit of your letter, the government’s attitude in Parliament has been insensitive and unilateral. This approach is not new; we have seen this for the last many sessions. You are trying to control the Opposition by using a whip, by keeping rules and tradition aside.”

The Congress leader added: “Your letter dated July 25 is contrary to facts. You must be aware that INDIA allies have been consistently demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament on the situation in Manipur since May 3, after which a comprehensive discussion can be held in both Houses. It is expected from all the political parties to at least send out a message for peace through Parliament, the highest forum in the country, after the grave situation in Manipur for the last 84 days, with newer incidents happening every day even now. That’s our collective demand.”

Kharge singled out Rajya Sabha leader Piyush Goyal for hostile and undemocratic behaviour, saying: “Small incidents are hyped up to suspend members for the entire session. Even the rule that the suspension of a member can’t exceed beyond that session has been violated. (Congress member Rajni Patil has been under suspension for two sessions). The members of the ruling party every day create disturbances when the Opposition members give notices for discussion under Rule 267. When the leader of the Opposition stands up to speak on the permission of the Chair, the leader of the House himself creates obstructions. This is happening regularly in gross violation of parliamentary dignity and tradition.”

Kharge said the Rajya Sabha leader should not act with a pre-determined mindset instead of showing a constructive approach.