NEW DELHI: Amid unabated disruptions to parliamentary proceedings, Congress on Wednesday suggested a way forward to resume.
Flagging “defamatory remarks” made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey that linked the Gandhis to US-based billionaire George SorosCongress’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi wrote a letter to Speaker Om Birla, demanding that the remarks be expunged to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.
The party said that it is willing to participate in the legislative business listed for the ongoing Winter Session of Parliamentafter the Speaker’s decision.
Sharing the letter on X, Congress General Secretary (In-charge of Communications) Jairam Ramesh said that Gogoi had written to the Speaker, reiterating the Congress’ commitment to ensuring that Parliament functions. “But does the Modi government want both Houses to function?” he asked.
In the letter to Birla dated December 10, Gogoi said, “As highlighted in my previous letters to you on December 5, 2024 and December 6, 2024, we remain deeply concerned about the defamatory remarks made by Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey against Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi and Member of Parliament from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the Zero Hour Session on December 5, 2024.”
“I implore you to announce your decision to examine our complaint and remove all defamatory and unparliamentary remarks from the record,” Gogoi said.
“After your decision, the Congress Party is keen to participate in the Legislative Business listed for the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament,” he said.
However, even as Congress raised the issue, BJP has doubled down on the charge, saying ” the connection between George Soros and Nehru-Gandhi runs deep, extending beyond Sonia Gandhi’s role as co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders – Asia Pacific (FDL-AP)”.
“For Nehru, a Hungarian like Soros, was married to BK Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru’s cousin, making her the aunt of Rahul Gandhi, former Congress President and Leader of the Opposition. Soros is documented to have visited Fori Nehru and maintained extended correspondence with her. Their association traces back to the time when BK Nehru served as India’s ambassador to the United States,” BJP wrote on its social media handle on Wednesday.
Earlier on December 5, Dubey’s statements had sparked a major uproar in the Lok Sabha, leading to an adjournment. During Zero Hour, he accused the Congress-led opposition of disrupting Parliament based on a report from a French publication that alleged ties to a US-based billionaire investor. Dubey further claimed that this investor, along with the Congress and the investigative platform OCCRP, was attempting to undermine India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
The allegations also prompted a strong response from Congress MPs, who protested loudly as Dubey directed questions at Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
