Bhubaneswar: Balasore BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for conduct unbecoming a Leader of Opposition (LoP) during the scuffle on the steps of Makar Dwar in Parliament on December 19 in which the former was injured.
He accused Rahul of behaving more like a “bouncer” than a LoP in the Lok Sabha, a position once held by esteemed figures such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “We were peacefully staging a protest for the disrespect shown to Dr B R Ambedkar. Rahul Gandhi came… none of the BJP MPs had blocked him. There was sufficient space on both sides to pass by. I wasn’t even engaging with him in any way. Yet, unexpectedly, he changed his direction and along with some of his party colleagues started pushing people to move ahead,” Sarangi told PTI.
The Balasore MP recalled that Gandhi gave a “hard push” to Mukesh Rajput, a BJP member, who fell onto him, following which, he lost his balance and fell, sustaining a head injury. “A sharp object pierced my head, causing a deep cut. Initially, Rahul brazenly admitted to his actions, but later chose to remain silent about it. One cannot expect even basic courtesy from him,” he said.
Sarangi also shared his health update with reporters. “My health has improved significantly, though the bandage on my head will remain for another three to four days,” he added.
