Rahul Gandhi did not want debate, says Arjun Ram Meghwal on Parliament ruckus (IANS Exclusive)

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, directly blaming him for the disruptions and repeated ruckus in Parliament and alleging that the Congress leader did not want debates in the House to proceed.

Speaking to IANS, Meghwal alleged that the Opposition repeatedly changed the issues on which it wanted discussion during the Monsoon Session and ultimately avoided participating in a substantive debate despite several opportunities offered by the government.

Asked who was behind the approach that prevented discussions from taking place, Meghwal directly pointed to Gandhi.

“It is the direct indication of Rahul Gandhi. There is no other indication,” Meghwal said.

“He himself does not want to let the debate go on,” he added.

Meghwal also referred to the Opposition’s conduct towards the end of the Parliament session, saying, “At the end of Parliament, when all the leaders were called, the entire INDI Alliance boycotted it.”

Highlighting what he described as a difference in the conduct of Opposition leaders in the two Houses, Meghwal said, “When the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha called them, almost everyone went to him. This means that the leaders of the Lok Sabha have a different attitude. It is clear from this.”

The Union minister further hit out at Gandhi while responding to Opposition’s allegations against the government over the functioning of Parliament.

“They are lying. What is their habit? It has become their character,” Meghwal said.

“They did not give any notice. If they had given notice, they would have come to the discussion and taken part in it,” he added.

Meghwal also rejected the Opposition’s argument that the responsibility for ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament rested mainly with the treasury benches.

“They wanted to tell a lie and run away. How is this possible? Is it not everyone’s responsibility?” he asked.

“The responsibility of the treasury benches is bigger, but what about the Opposition? How will it work if there is a ruckus?” Meghwal said.

He alleged that while the government continued offering opportunities for discussion, the Opposition repeatedly shifted its position.

“While we were offering a discussion, they were changing the topic. They were changing the topic, because of which they did not allow the discussion to take place,” he said.

Meghwal further charged that disruption, rather than debate, was the Opposition’s objective.

“They wanted to create a ruckus this time. They wanted to create a ruckus. They did not want to discuss anything,” he said.

–IANS

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