Gandhi’s comments came after BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad took his name during the debate and several BJP MPs took a swipe at him over his frequent absences during House debates and during discussion on Opposition resolution for removal of the Speaker.
“Multiple times, my name is being raised, vile things are being said about me. This House is the expression of the people of India. This House doesn’t represent one party. This House represents the whole country,” Gandhi said. “Every time we get up to speak, we are stopped from speaking. The last time when I spoke, I raised a fundamental question about the compromises that had been made by our prime minister. Multiple times, I have been stopped from speaking. First time in the history of India, the leader of the Opposition was not allowed to speak in the House.”
Referring to the chair’s refusal in the previous sitting to allow him to start his speech by quoting an unpublished book of former Army chief MM Naravane, Gandhi said, “Last time I raised the issue of the prime minister being compromised, I raised the issue of Mr Narvane, I raised the issue of Epstein. I was silenced. These issues are fundamental to the people of India. Our PM has been compromised, and everybody knows that.”
As Gandhi took his seat, Prasad resumed his speech, saying, “I would like to remind the leader of Opposition that PM Narendra Modi can never be compromised.”
