Bhubaneswar: Winter session of the Parliament that has been convened after the poll results of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, seems to have been the victim of the poll battlefield rancour between NDA and INDI Alliance.
The session has hardly seen any productive debate or legislative business during its 25 day period, except the debate on Constitution Day. And the Session is going to signoff Friday (Dec 20) – the last session of year 2024.
But the penultimate day of winter session saw a major political storm – where a scuffle between BJP and Cong led INDI alliance at Makar Dwar saw two BJP MPs receiving head injuries. The scuffle became a major political showdown, as injured MP Pratap Sarangi accused Leader Of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as the reason.
HOW IT HAPPENED?
Thursday morning saw effervescence in the Parliament as protests are being staged by both INDI alliance and BJP MPs.
While Rahul Gandhi led INDI alliance MPs were holding protests near Ambedkar statute demanding apology and resignation from Union Home Minister over his alleged insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar in his speech during the debate on 75th year of Constitution day, the BJP MPs were protesting at the entry gate of Parliament (Makar Dwar) demanding apology from Congress over alleged distortion of Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech and misquoting him.
RAHUL GANDHI ADMITS OF SCUFFLE
As per the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s statement to media, “After peaceful protest near Ambedkar statute, we were entering into the Parliament, where the main gate was blocked by the protesting BJP MPs, the LoP then added – entering Parliament is our right, and as we determinedly moved ahead, the BJP MPs pushed us, some MPs might have been injured in that jostling,” he added.
The Congress scion completely refuted the charge of Odisha BJP MP Pratap Sarangi.
BANSURI SWARAJ’S STATEMENT
New Delhi Lok Sabha MP and daughter of former MEA and BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj, Bansuri Swaraj, made a statement to press after filing a police complaint against LoP Rahul Gandhi’s alleged shove act in Parliament.
“Our MPs were holding protest at the Makar Dwar. The parliament security forces have pleaded with Rahul Gandhi to enter the house through a safe passage made for the MPs entering Parliament house. But Rahul Gandhi adamant in entering the House between the protesting BJP MPs, in that jostle to push his way, he shovelled two BJP MPS – Odisha, Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi and UP LOk Sabha MP Mukeh Rajput. As a consequence, they fell down the stairs receiving serious head injuries,” said Bansuri Swaraj.
"We have filed a complaint with Delhi Police against Rahul Gandhi for assault and incitement. The complaint has been under Sections 109, 115, 117, 125, 131and 351, " said Anurag Thakur.
Charges levelled in FIR:
Sections 109 (Attempt to murder),
Section115 (voluntarily causing hurt),
Scetion117 (voluntarily causing grevious hurt),
Section 125 (endangering life or personal safety of others),
Section 131 (assualt or using criminal forecs) and
Section 351 (criminal intimidation)
STATEMENT OF BJP RS MP NAGALAND
A look at the above statement shows that LoP Rahul Gandhi had a scuffle with protesting BJP MPs demanding entry.
RML DOCTOR’S STATEMENT
As per the statement of Medical Superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohiya Hospital, both MPs – Odisha’s Pratap Sarangi and UP’s Mukesh Rajput – have received head injuries.
“While Pratap Sarangi suffred a deep cut on his forehead, and received a stitching treatment. Mukesh Rajput has fallen unconscious. His BP is high now and feeling dizziness. Tests were recommended, and both were treated in ICU,” he added.
IS IT REAL SHOWDOWN?
A look at the above statements of LoP Rahul Gandhi, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and RML Medical Superintendent brings to the following conclusions.
- BJP MPs were protesting at the entry gate holding placards
- Rahul Gandhi tried to enter the house through the protesting MPs
- Security forces have made a safe passage for MPs to take entry into the Parliament
- Fall with head injuries show the shove act happened.
- And the fall is result of the jostling and scuffle between Rahul Gandhi and protesting BJP MPs.
- The facts show Rahul Gandhi had a showdown with BJP MPs.
- Rahul Gandhi has many moments of angry outbursts – like tearing down the ordinance in 2013 in a press conference or his most popular slogan – ‘Daro Mat’ (meaning never fear) might be the reason behind the face off in Parliament.
- This showdown could have been averted had the opposition MPs take entry via safe route made by the security forces.
- The showdown may be traced to the rancour after Maharashtra poll upset.
