Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday alleged that his request for a short-duration discussion on the fuel and LPG crisis stemming from the conflict in West Asia had not been allowed and questioned the government’s commitment to democratic norms.
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju tried to counter the charge by blaming Kharge and Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for skipping an all-party meeting on this issue. Kharge hit back by questioning the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the same meeting.
Immediately after Zero Hour, Rijiju sought the cooperation of members for the passage of the Central Armed Police Forces Bill and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill.
Kharge accused the government of pushing its own business while ignoring his request for a discussion on the fuel crisis. Kharge reminded Chairman C.P. Radhakrishan about the two letters he had written urging a short-duration discussion on the issue.
“They (government) bring bills, get ready for discussion and give statements whenever they want. I have written letters to you twice for a short-duration discussion under Rule 176. They have no time for that. The entire world is getting ruined by the fuel and LPG crisis. The prices are going up. Why are they not agreeing to that?” Kharge said.
“Whatever we suggest, they disagree, but whatever they want, they forcibly declare with a voice vote. Is it democracy?” Kharge added.
Rijiju said the petroleum minister and the Prime Minister had already made statements in both Houses on the issue.
“When the all-party meeting was held on the West Asia crisis, LoPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha did not attend it,” Rijiju said.
During the discussion on the finance bill, Rijiju said, Opposition members only spoke about LPG, petrol and diesel. He said the finance minister gave a detailed reply, and the Prime Minister had a discussion with chief ministers via videoconferencing.
Rijiju said the finance minister told both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha about the steps taken to tackle the crisis and to control the prices. He accused the Opposition parties of doing politics on the issue and said it was time the entire country stood united.
Lashing out at Rijiju, Kharge said: “The minister is saying the LoP did not come to the all-party meeting. Where was your Prime Minister? I have sent my representatives. Your Prime Minister does not come. Should we come there to listen to your lecture? I condemn such a statement. You withdraw it,” he said.
Rijiju said the BJP always respected the LoP. “The LoP wants to abuse the Prime Minister all the time. The LoP should speak with responsibility,” Rijiju said.