Emotional Kharge urges Chair to expunge remarks against him

Soon after the laying of the listed paper in the House, the Congress leader pointed out that BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari had referred to his political journey and said his (Kharge’s) entire family’ was in politics…reports Asian Lite News

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday became emotional over the ‘parivarvaad’ statement by BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari during a parliamentary session and urged Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to expunge those remarks in the House regarding his political journey.

In a sombre tone, while taking umbrage to the remarks by the BJP MP, Kharge said that he felt bad about it and did not “wish to live for long in this environment.”

Soon after the laying of the listed paper in the House, the Congress leader pointed out that BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari had referred to his political journey and said his (Kharge’s) entire family’ was in politics.

“He made a comment regarding ‘parivarvaad.’ I request that this be expunged from the records,” Kharge said.

The leader of the opposition further said he was a first-generation politician and provided details of his political journey, which began after he joined the Congress party. He mentioned that his father had died at the age of 85.

To this, Chairman Dhankhar wished him an even longer life than his father but Kharge quipped, “I felt bad. I don’t wish to live for long in this environment.”

Stating that he had been in the chair when BJP MP Tiwari had made his remarks, Dhankar said he did not think the BJP leader had meant to convey anything wrong to Kharge but assured the Congress leader that he would minutely examine the records.

“Every member of Parliament is respected and Kharge Ji’s life has been in public for almost 6 decades. I have said this many times and there are many respected members here too. Any word that hurts Kharge ji will not remain on record,” said Chairman Dhankhar.

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Thakur’s remarks part of parliamentary record

With Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi giving a breach of privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sharing the speech of Anurag Thakur made in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, sources said that that the BJP MP’s remarks are part of parliamentary record and the breach of privilege notice does not hold ground.

After the opposition members, including Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, objected to some of his remarks made during his speech on union budget, Anurag Thakur said he had not named any member.

Sources said Anurag Thakur’s remarks are part of parliamentary records and his remarks have not been expunged.

Slamming Congress over its protests, Union Ministers and BJP leaders said Anurag Thakur did not name anyone.

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi said Congress is resorting to excuses.

“He (Anurag Thakur) did not ask the caste. Those who don’t know caste are speaking about Caste Census. He did not name anyone, so why are you taking it upon yourself? Anurag Thakur clarified it on the floor of the House. They need an excuse. The intention is to divert the issue. From Pandit Nehru to Indira Gandhi, to Rajiv Gandhi – everybody has opposed reservation for OBC…,” he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to divide the country based on caste.

“I condemn what Congress has done, they keep talking about castes all the time…they ask the castes of media people and army personnel…Congress has hatched a conspiracy to divide the country based on castes…they keep asking about everyone’s castes, but Rahul Gandhi’s caste can’t be asked…are they above the country and Parliament?…they want to weaken democracy and country’s economy, they want to spread anarchy and violence,” he said.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also spoke on Anurag Thakur’s remarks and said PM Modi should not have lauded the speech.

“Taunting in the House, this doesn’t happen in Parliament. Nobody’s caste is asked in the Parliament…He (Anurag Thakur) said this purposely to insult him (Rahul Gandhi). This is not right. Several of their (BJP) senior leaders have had intercaste marriages. They should look at themselves in the mirror and then speak…He (Anurag Thakur) is immature but was there a need for the Prime Minister to tweet?” Kharge asked. “Several of their leaders are in an intercaste or interfaith marriage. Will they ask about everyone’s caste? This is wrong, I condemn this. I also condemn the tweet of the Prime Minister. PM Modi should know where to speak and who to defend. Leaving that aside, he is talking about inflaming sentiments. This should not be allowed in Parliament, it should be expunged,” he said. (ANI)

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