NEW DELHI: Compared to an ‘earthquake’, the pricking of a balloon is a benign act. Nonetheless, Rahul Gandhi’s ‘sensational’ teaser at a presser propped up by 15 other opposition party leaders — that he was ready to “explode the PM’s balloon” — had the government as also Delhi’s AAP Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a tizzy in different ways — but both responded with ‘bring it on’ statements.
(The latter must be ruing the fact that the Congress vice-chief was stealing his style and thunder.) That the controversial demonetisation drive has sparked a public spat between the Treasury and Opposition is not new — the Winter session was two days away from a washout. What was new on Wednesday was the bait Rahul dangled before the Treasury. He claimed he was not being allowed to speak in Lok Sabha because of ‘detailed information’ he had in his possession. “We (the Opposition) are pretty much ready to have our say under no binding rule, leaving it to the Speaker to decide, but we, the elected members of the people, are not being allowed to have our say, to speak....’’ Ratcheting up the drama — “never seen the Treasury obstructing a discussion, it’s usually the Opposition” — Rahul claimed it was all to do with the “explosive” information he has on what drove the PM to declare `500 and `1,000 notes illegal tender. The PM was “running scared” from a debate in the Lower House, he reiterated. “The Prime Minister is personally terrified of me being allowed to open my mouth inside Lok Sabha because I have information about him that is going to explode his balloon. And I am not being allowed to speak in the House,” Rahul thundered.
TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay, speaking right after Rahul, said pretty much the same that the government was “obstructing debate on demonetisation to stop Rahul Gandhi from speaking”.
The “explosive” information remained in the realm of speculation — it perhaps suited the Congress to maintain the suspense, but the fact that other opposition parties were endorsing Rahul in the absence of Sonia Gandhi, was no mean achievement. It, indeed, held a promise of his increased bandwidth, political acceptance, a Congress veteran quipped.
Since politics was also about perceptions, that Rahul summoned the Congress MPs to the war-room later in the evening for a special strategy meeting, helped keep the focus on the party.
The government did not sit idle either. As a retort, it issued a preemptive denial.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar countered Rahul by an assertive, “false and baseless” riposte. A bit curious though, what was being denied was not known. His ministerial colleague Prakash Javadekar added that “it suits the government if he (Rahul) speaks — instead of an earthquake, the rug under his feet will be pulled out”. It held a promise. The government may be ready for a debate. Only sticking point, the Treasury wanted to reply before the Opposition finishes its questioning speeches. So the Opposition does not get away with another disruption, after having its say.
The Congress, meanwhile, eyeing a chance, brainstormed on how best to make political hay out of the currency crisis. Meanwhile, Kejriwal said the Congress and BJP are playing a ‘friendly match’ and raised doubts on Rahul’s claims and dared him to “expose Modi if he has documents at his disposal. “If Rahul Gandhi actually has papers on Modiji’s personal involvement in corruption, then why doesn’t he expose it outside Parliament,” Kejriwal said in a series of tweets.
On demonetisation, Kejriwal claimed traders were miffed with the BJP. “The traders of the country are saying BJP will take money from us, vote from us and call us thieves? The real thief dines with the PM,” he tweeted.
Apart from the Delhi CM, Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashish Khetan also asked Rahul to disclose the information. “If Rahul Gandhi is not allowed to speak inside the House, then he should speak outside and disclose the information he has about Modiji,” said Khetan.