Congress Accuses PM Modi of Violating Parliamentary Norms with Remarks on Former Rajya Sabha Chairman
New Delhi, 6th July 2024: On Saturday, the Congress party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating parliamentary norms by suggesting that then Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari showed a preference for the opposition when the BJP assumed power in 2014.
Responding to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha on July 2, Modi stated, “Despite their numbers, when we came in 2014, our strength in the Rajya Sabha was minimal, and the Chair’s inclination was somewhat towards the other side. Yet, we remained committed to serving the nation with pride. I want to assure the citizens that the mandate you have given us will not be deterred by such obstacles. We will achieve our resolutions.”
Although Modi did not directly name anyone, it was understood that he was referring to former vice president Ansari, who chaired the Rajya Sabha from August 2012 to August 2017.
This marked the Congress’s first response to Modi’s remarks earlier in the week, which seemingly alluded to Ansari.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, stated, “An alarming statement made by the non-biological PM in the Lok Sabha on July 2nd has largely gone unnoticed. His comments were unacceptable and should have been immediately expunged.” Ramesh claimed Modi accused Ansari of “leaning” towards the Opposition.
Ramesh added, “This isn’t the first instance of Mr Modi targeting Mr Ansari. During Mr Ansari’s farewell speech 7 years ago, Modi hinted at Ansari’s prominent diplomatic postings in Islamic countries, overlooking that these countries were crucial to India and that Mr Ansari also served as High Commissioner to Australia and India’s Permanent Representative at the UN in New York.”
Ramesh alleged that no prime minister has ever attacked a former speaker or chairman of the Rajya Sabha as Modi has. “In doing so, he has broken all parliamentary norms, showing no respect for them. He has further tarnished the dignity of his office following his deplorable election campaign,” Ramesh stated.
