Learn from Priyanka Gandhi: Amit Shah slams Rahul Gandhi's behaviour in Parliament

Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday took a swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, telling him to “learn the art of speaking” from his seniors, including sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The remark came during Shah’s reply to the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill, wherein he criticised Rahul Gandhi’s tone and language in recent speeches.

“I was listening to the Leader of the Opposition’s speech. It is your responsibility to uphold the dignity of this House across the country and the world. The kind of language used will damage that dignity,” Shah said.

He further accused Gandhi of undermining institutions and making provocative statements. “Language should not merely reflect emotions. Learn the art of speaking in the House from your seniors. And if there are no seniors, then Priyanka is the senior — learn from her,” Shah said, drawing reactions from members.

The remarks came after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered a sharp intervention in the House, where she questioned the government’s approach to linking women’s reservation with delimitation, even invoking Chanakya in her critique – a remark that briefly drew a smile from Shah.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told Shah that had ancient Indian polymath Chanakya been alive today, he would have been startled by the BJP leader's "political shrewdness".

"The Home Minister is laughing. He has made this full scheme. Had Chanakya been alive, he would have been startled by your political shrewdness (rajnaitik kutilta). He (Shah) made the whole plan, and he is laughing now. He agrees with me," he said.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi himself had struck a lighter note while referring to his sister’s speech, saying she managed to do in “five minutes what I couldn’t in 20 years – make Amit Shah smile,” prompting laughter in the House.

The Constitution Amendment Bill seeking to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures by 2029, along with a proposal to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha, was defeated in the Lower House today.

The legislation secured 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. Of the 528 members who voted, at least 352 votes were needed for the bill to pass.

The proposal aimed to increase the Lok Sabha’s strength from the current 543 seats to a maximum of 850, in order to operationalise the women’s reservation framework ahead of the 2029 general elections, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

It also included provisions to expand the number of seats in state assemblies and Union Territory legislatures to accommodate the 33 per cent quota for women.

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(with inputs from PTI)

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