NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly refuted allegations made by the BJP against leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, calling them a conspiracy to divert attention from Union home minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar.
This comes after the BJP claimed that Rahul Gandhi pushed BJP MPs during a scuffle in Parliament.
Speaking to the media, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the confrontation was staged by the BJP to shift the focus. She further claimed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was pushed to the ground, and a CPM MP fell on him during the scuffle.
“Rahul ji, carrying a photo of Dr BR Ambedkar and chanting ‘Jai Bhim,’ was peacefully entering Parliament. You can clearly see who obstructed him. We have been protesting peacefully for days and always give way to others. Today, BJP MPs protested, leading to jostling and goonda-gardi,” Priyanka said.
She added, “Now, to shield Amit Shah ji, they are fabricating this narrative that Bhaiya (Rahul Gandhi) pushed someone. Before my eyes, Kharge ji was pushed and fell, and then a CPM MP fell on him. This is a conspiracy. Their real sentiment was exposed today. I challenge the BJP MPs to chant ‘Jai Bhim.'”
Both Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of disrespecting Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution.
Priyanka alleged that the BJP has consistently insulted Ambedkar and undermined the rights he championed for Dalits and marginalized communities.
“BJP is repeatedly insulting Baba Saheb, who gave the Constitution to this country and empowered millions of Dalits and deprived citizens through his thoughts and actions. By doing so, they are insulting the sentiments of crores of Dalits and marginalized people in the country. The BJP should apologize to the nation,” she said.
Kharge too called out BJP’s behavior in Parliament. “After insulting Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar, @narendramodi also gets the dignity of Parliament insulted. BJP MPs, armed with placards and thick sticks, shoved and pushed to obstruct the peaceful protest by INDIA alliance MPs. This exposes their disdain for Babasaheb, the Parliament, the Constitution, and democracy. We will stand firm against any derogatory remarks about Babasaheb. The nation will strongly oppose the BJP/RSS,” he said on social media.
The controversy erupted outside Parliament when BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing a BJP MP, causing injuries. The scuffle reportedly occurred near Makar Dwar as protesting MPs from the opposition INDIA bloc and the BJP confronted each other.
Rahul Gandhi denied the allegations, asserting that it was the BJP MPs who obstructed and pushed him as he attempted to enter Parliament. “This is yet another attempt to tarnish our peaceful protests and divert attention from the pressing issues,” he said.
