New Delhi: Tensions between the government and the opposition escalated further on Thursday after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju released video clips purportedly showing Congress MPs engaging in a heated exchange inside the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chamber earlier this week.
The footage shared by Rijiju appears to show several Congress members in an intense discussion with the Speaker and the minister. In one clip, Congress MP Jothimani is seen pointing a finger towards Rijiju during the argument. The incident has added to the already strained relations between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Parliament.
The confrontation reportedly took place on the same day BJP MP Nishikant Dubey brought books into the House and cited passages while making critical remarks about two former Prime Ministers from the Nehru-Gandhi family. Congress leaders objected strongly to Dubey’s statements, calling them defamatory. They argued that the Speaker had earlier stopped Rahul Gandhi from quoting from a book in the House and demanded similar action against Dubey.
Following the controversy, senior Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal went to the Speaker’s chamber seeking intervention and action against the BJP MP.
In a statement accompanying the video post, Rijiju alleged that 20–25 Congress MPs entered the Speaker’s chamber and behaved in an inappropriate manner. He claimed that some members used abusive language and made threatening remarks against the Prime Minister. “Our party believes in debate and discussion and never encourages MPs to physically threaten anyone,” Rijiju said, criticising the conduct of the opposition leaders present during the episode.
Drawing a comparison with his party’s past conduct in opposition, Rijiju said that BJP leaders had maintained discipline even during intense protests. He cited an instance when former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani reprimanded party members for crossing limits while demanding the execution of Ajmal Kasab.
Responding to the allegations, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra denied any wrongdoing. She stated that no abuse took place and rejected claims that she encouraged disruptive behaviour. “One or two MPs were agitated and expressed their feelings. I was sitting quietly and spoke peacefully at the end,” she said.
The incident underscores the growing political confrontation between the treasury benches and the opposition, with both sides accusing each other of breaching parliamentary decorum. With tempers flaring inside and outside the House, the ongoing session is likely to witness further sharp exchanges.
