‘Insecure’ Congress leadership behind lack of debate, says PM Narendra Modi

Modi is learnt to have said that some young MPs of the Congress did not get a chance to take part in discussions, because the party leadership is “insecure” — in what was interpreted as a dig at Rahul Gandhi.

Modi is learnt to have referred to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill banning online money games that was passed amid the din as an example of a very important Bill that addressed the harmful social effects of these games on society. He said that such important Bills could not see a discussion.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju claimed the Opposition’s absence from the informal meet could be because of their “embarrassment” about their conduct during the session.

He said Opposition leaders meeting the government in the Business Advisory Committee meeting would come to an understanding with the government on Parliamentary business but failed to implement it, perhaps due to pressure. This again was seen as a veiled dig at Gandhi. He said it was “rare” for opposition leaders to boycott the customary meeting hosted by the Speaker at the end of a session.

He said the session was fruitful for the government and the country but damaging for the opposition. This was in sync with statements by ministers and the Chair through the session that the nation was watching the opposition’s disruptions, and that MPs were sent to Parliament to take part in the discussions and not to obstruct them.