New Delhi, December 5: A heated exchange in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday saw Congress MP KC Venugopal strongly criticizing BJP leader Nishikant Dubey for alleged “defamatory” remarks against Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Venugopal called the incident “unfortunate” and demanded an apology.
The clash began when BJP leader Nishikant Dubey accused Congress of undermining national interests, referencing reports by Mediapart and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi attempted to counter the allegations, leading to an uproar in the House.
Congress Accuses BJP of Defamation
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Venugopal said:
“Today, a very unfortunate incident happened in the Lok Sabha. Defamatory words were used against the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, and the entire Congress party by Nishikant Dubey. In the history of Parliament, such derogatory remarks were never used. We are very pained.”
He further accused the BJP of targeting Rahul Gandhi for standing against corruption, stating:
“Since Day 1, Rahul Gandhi stood against corruption, and from that day, the agents of Adani have started abusing him. We demand an apology from the member who used such language, and the Speaker should take necessary action.”
BJP Alleges Congress’s Links with Anti-National Interests
During his address, Nishikant Dubey accused Congress of being complicit in derailing Parliament sessions, referencing incidents such as the Pegasus controversy, Hindenburg Report, and the vaccine debate. He claimed these were fueled by the OCCRP and amplified by Congress leaders.
Dubey also raised questions about Rahul Gandhi’s overseas engagements, stating:
“Rahul Gandhi met individuals like Salil Shetty of the Open Society Foundation, who allegedly funded the Bharat Jodo Movement. He also met Mushfiqul Fazal, responsible for the Bangladesh genocide, and US representatives like Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna, who oppose PM Modi’s leadership. What are his relations with these individuals?”
The accusations drew immediate protests from opposition members, leading to disruptions in the House.
Congress Counters Allegations
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi took the floor to refute the claims, accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation. He stated:
“BJP is lying. They do not want Parliament to function. Rahul Gandhi stands for peace in this country, while BJP is trying to ignite violence in Sambhal, just as PM Modi did in Manipur.”
Gogoi further alleged that Rahul Gandhi was being stopped from visiting Sambhal, where recent violence had erupted, accusing the government of suppressing opposition voices.
A Call for Accountability
The war of words between the BJP and Congress comes amidst heightened political tensions over Sambhal violence and allegations of foreign influence in Indian politics. While the Congress has demanded an apology for Dubey’s remarks, the BJP continues to question the opposition’s motives and overseas interactions.
With the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla trying to restore order, the heated exchanges have spotlighted the deepening divide between the two major parties. Whether these debates lead to productive dialogue or further disrupt Parliament remains to be seen.
