NEW DELHI, Mar 12 : Union minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday termed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on reported LPG shortage “pretence”, and accused him of pursuing “foreign agenda” by raising “baseless” issues in Lok Sabha to lower the stature of the country.
Goyal also slammed Gandhi and Congress members for holding a protest at the Makar Dwar of Parliament in violation of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s ruling, and demanded that action be taken against them.
Asserting that the foundation of every single nation is its energy security, Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government has “bartered” to the US India’s right to determine its relations with different oil suppliers due to a “compromise”.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi also said the war between the US-Israel and Iran is going to have far-reaching consequences.
“An important debate on the Union Budget was underway, but it was interrupted to allow the Leader of the Opposition to speak. But he showed no concern for the consumers or the seriousness of the issue.
“I believe this is merely a pretence that Rahul Gandhi is trying to display – that he is worried about the consumers or about LPG cylinders. He only wants to bring baseless issues into the House and raise matters to lower the stature of the country. His agenda is not in the national interest,” Goyal alleged.
“I demand action against Rahul Gandhi, his party members and against all those sitting at the Makar Dwar and breaking the rules of Parliament. The speaker has clearly ordered that no demonstrations are allowed there. Yet, they are not only staging a demonstration – they are having a party, eating toast, biscuits and drinking tea.
“They have turned what we consider the sanctum sanctorum, the temple of democracy, into a place for such behaviour,” the minister told reporters inside the Parliament House complex.
Goyal also accused Gandhi of once again violating parliamentary rules and deviating from the subject under discussion.
“Once again, we have found the Leader of the Opposition violating all the rules and procedures of Parliament. The speaker, with complete impartiality, repeatedly stated that everyone would be given an opportunity and time to speak on pressing issues.
“Gandhi sought time to discuss the alleged LPG shortage. The speaker granted that time. But once again we saw how Rahul Gandhi did not acknowledge the seriousness of the issue and instead displayed irresponsibility,” he said.
“The speaker repeatedly reminded the members that the discussion must remain focused on the subject being debated. Yet, we once again witnessed Gandhi’s irresponsible conduct today. We saw how he did not want to follow the rules or the House proceedings to continue,” the minister added.
On LPG supply, Goyal said Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has already given a detailed clarification, assuring that the situation is under control.
“The minister has given a very detailed statement informing the nation. I am confident that people will believe that the situation is completely under control. There is no need for panic buying, and everyone’s needs will be met,” Goyal said.
The minister also alleged that the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Birla was a “pretence” aimed at disrupting the functioning of the House.
“Even the no-confidence motion against the speaker was merely a pretence. The opposition has again demonstrated that they have no interest in allowing the House to function,” he said. (PTI)
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