New Delhi, July 21: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a scathing attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accusing them of treating Parliament like their "personal drawing room" and avoiding meaningful discussions.
Speaking to reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 p.m. on the first day of the monsoon session, Pradhan criticized the Congress leadership for walking out instead of engaging in debate. “Parliament functions according to rules and not on the personal whims of any individual. This is not the personal drawing room of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi,” he said.
Accusing the Congress of deliberately avoiding debate, Pradhan alleged that the opposition was more interested in supporting "anti-India forces" than contributing constructively. “They are themselves running away from discussion. They are more interested in siding with Pakistan and opposing India’s interests. We are open to discussion on any topic — they only need to participate responsibly,” he added.
Pradhan’s comments came after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the opposition was being denied the opportunity to speak in the House, even as union ministers were being allowed to address the session.
“The Defence Minister is allowed to speak, but the Opposition, including me as the Leader of the Opposition, is not. This is a new approach. Parliamentary convention says that if ministers can speak, so should the Opposition,” Rahul Gandhi told the media.
Congress and the INDIA bloc had outlined eight major issues they intended to raise during the monsoon session — including the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Despite submitting adjournment notices, these were not accepted, leading to slogan-shouting by Opposition MPs and repeated adjournments of the Lok Sabha, first till noon and then again until 2 p.m.
Backing Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took exception to the disruption. Referring to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s claim that the government was open to discussing "Operation Sindoor", she said, “If they are truly ready for discussion, they should allow the Leader of the Opposition to speak. He stood up to participate and should be heard.”
