Anti-Modi Slogans Spark Storm In Parliament

NEW DELHI:  Both Houses of Parliament on Monday witnessed uproar over alleged anti-Modi slogans raised at a Congress “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” rally held at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday, with the ruling BJP demanding an apology from the Opposition party.

In the Lok Sabha, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the alleged slogans raised at the Congress rally and sought an apology from the party’s top leadership. He said the slogans amounted to a threat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House and Union minister J.P. Nadda also condemned the Congress over the slogans and demanded an apology from the Opposition leadership.

“With pain and an agitated heart, I want to say that slogans such as ‘Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi’ were shouted at the Congress rally. Such slogans reflect the thinking of the Congress party,” Nadda said.

Calling the slogans condemnable, he said wishing for the death of the Prime Minister was unacceptable. He demanded that Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Sonia Gandhi, who were present in the House, apologise to the nation.

“These remarks have lowered the level of political discourse beyond imagination,” Nadda said, strongly condemning the slogans.

His comments triggered further uproar, prompting Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh to adjourn proceedings till noon.

The controversy erupted after participants at the Congress rally were reportedly heard chanting slogans against the Prime Minister.

The Lok Sabha was first adjourned till noon and later till 2 pm as BJP and Congress members engaged in heated exchanges over the issue.

Condemning the slogans, Rijiju said, “We are political opponents, not enemies. Congress workers threatened to dig the grave of the Prime Minister at their rally. This is most unfortunate. The Congress must tender an apology for issuing such threats.”

Amid the commotion, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till noon. When proceedings resumed, Congress members entered the Well and raised slogans against Union home minister Amit Shah.

BJP member Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, allowed the tabling of parliamentary papers and assured Congress members that they would be given an opportunity to raise their issues after Zero Hour. As protests continued, he adjourned the House till 2 pm.

In the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were adjourned till noon after Treasury Bench members protested following Nadda’s remarks. Raising the issue after papers were laid, Nadda said the slogans reflected the Congress’ mindset.