NEW DELHI: The impasse over offensive statement made by minister Niranjan Jyoti continued in Parliament on the fourth day as the opposition parties hardened their stance despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing for “magnanimity” for the “first time minister” who comes from a humble “social background.”
But for the opposition parties it seems a like a perfect handle to beat the government as they demanded resolution be adopted the house demanding condemnation of Jyoti’s statements.
The BJP hit out at the opposition parties saying they were adopting double standards as offensive statementby West Bengal CM against their chief Amit Shah was not condemned at all.
The issue has brought the fractured opposition into one grouping as leaders of nine opposition parties issued a joint statement demanding a resolution condemning Jyoti’s remarks.
MPs from diverse political backgrounds like the Left, the Trinamool Congress, the Aap and Congress got together to protest before the House started.
Congress vice-president has been rarely seen in the House, returned to tie a black cloth on his mouth to protest along with other MPs at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament House complex. “The government does not want democratic expression and democratic voice,” Rahul said. To counter the Opposition, the BJP MPs also gathered there to sing a bhajan asking for better sense for their political rivals.
There seems to be no early resoultion in sight as the government has ruled any sacking or even bringing a resolution. IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “The BJP rejects with contempt the kind of hypocrisy and ugly double standards in practice..I ask Sonia Gandhi, Rahul what they have to say on the words used by Mamata Banerjee against Amit Shah, which I cannot even speak here. I don’t think it is my standard to even read it out.”
Prasad has told the reporters at the BJP headquarters that, “it is hypocrisy of the worst standard and the ugliest form of double standards.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu questioned Opposition parties particularly the Congress’ motives in continuing with the protests.
Sources pointed that moving a resolution was against the House rules, as resolutions are usually brought when there is consensus among all the parties.
The government too was adopting a strong stand of not giving in to Opposition demands, but at the same time reaching out to individual leaders to work out a solution.