New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday fired a verbal volley at Amit Shah after the Union Home minister’s “no-show” in Lok Sabha despite business reportedly listed against his name.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that “those who intimidate are themselves cowards”, and questioned why he has been “missing” in Lok Sabha for 17 days.
Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju responded to the allegation, saying that Shah was “ready” with a reply but the Opposition was “not letting a discussion take place” as Congress was “running away from it.”
On Monday, the government offered to debate students’ issues and police action during the July 20 march to Parliament, with a reply by Shah, in an effort to resolve the two-week Parliament logjam.
However, the Opposition insisted on specific responses over alleged police brutality on student protesters in Delhi and alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, while also seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology.
“After all that planting of news and desperate attempts to shift the narrative, the Union Home Minister was a no-show in the Lok Sabha today as well – even though he had business listed against his name. Once again, he has proved that those who intimidate are themselves cowards. For 17 days Mr Amit Shah has been missing from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha which is truly unprecedented. The question naturally arises: Is he well? Is all ok between # 1 and #2? The nation wants to know,” Ramesh wrote on his X handle.
‘Congress ran away’
Rijiju claimed that the government had made an offer and was ready “for a complete and detailed discussion over everything which happened around the students’ protest.” The government and Union Home minister “had the reply ready”, Rijiju said.
“But they (the Opposition) are not letting a discussion happen. Today, too, we were ready. But Congress ran away and sloganeered outside, not letting a discussion take place,” Rijiju told reporters outside Parliament, ANI reported.
The BJP leader said it was “unfortunate” that the Congress “is running away from discussion”, adding that it was “clear to the people” that the Centre was ready for a discussion. “What did Rahul Gandhi say from the beginning? That Home Minister should issue a statement. We are saying that we will have a full-fledged discussion and reply on each and every point… When that happens, everything will be clear,” he said.
“Rahul Gandhi has run away. Monsoon session is at its end, Govt has made an offer of detailed discussion on students’ protest. Congress party should not run away,” Rijiju added.