NEW DELHI, March 9 (ANI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the government is unwilling to allow a discussion in Parliament on the West Asia crisis, alleging that such a debate would expose how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been “compromised” by the United States and Israel.
The Congress leader said the situation in West Asia could significantly affect India, particularly through rising oil prices and economic disruptions.
“How much loss will the West Asia crisis cause? A fight toward a paradigm shift is going on. This will cause a major loss to our economy. You saw the stock market. PM Modi has signed a deal with the US. The country is going to suffer a major blow. So what problem do they have in discussing that?” Gandhi said.
“We can have discussions on other issues afterward. Is West Asia not important? Are fuel prices and economic devastation not important matters of discussion? These are public issues,” the Rae Bareli MP added.
Gandhi further alleged that the Prime Minister would avoid Parliament if a discussion on the West Asia crisis were allowed in both Houses.
“We consider these issues important and want a discussion. But they do not want a discussion because other things will come out of it. The Prime Minister’s position will come out, and he will get exposed. How he is compromised and how he is being blackmailed will come up. So they do not want to discuss. You saw how the Prime Minister ran away from Parliament. He will not be able to come, I am telling you,” he said.
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned Monday amid noisy protests by opposition members demanding a discussion on the situation in West Asia. The Lower House will reconvene Tuesday at 11 a.m.
The second phase of the Budget Session began with intense confrontation as BJP MPs accused the Congress-led opposition of disrupting proceedings with protests over the West Asia conflict.
Earlier, MPs from the INDIA bloc protested at the Makar Dwar of Parliament, raising slogans against the central government over the crisis. Rahul Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge were among those participating in the protest outside Parliament.
The protests followed a statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in the Rajya Sabha regarding the volatile situation in West Asia, while opposition members demanded a full discussion to question the government.
Addressing the House, Jaishankar confirmed that the government had issued formal advisories to Indian nationals residing in Iran and said the safety of citizens remains the administration’s top priority.
“The Prime Minister continues to closely monitor the emerging developments, and relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses,” Jaishankar said.
According to parliamentary sources, a discussion on the West Asia conflict is unlikely because parliamentary rules do not provide for a debate if a minister makes a suo motu statement on an urgent matter. (ANI)
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