The Congress on Tuesday took a jibe at Amit Shah, with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh saying the Union home minister was a “no-show” in Lok Sabha despite business reportedly listed against his name.
While Ramesh alleged that “those who intimidate are themselves cowards”, Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju responded saying Shah was “ready” with a reply. Rijiju claimed the Opposition was “not letting a discussion take place”, adding that Congress was “running away from it.”
This came a day after the government offered to debate students’ issues and police action in Parliament with a reply by Shah, in an effort to resolve the two-week-long Parliament logjam. However, the Opposition has insisted on specific responses over alleged police brutality on student protesters in Delhi and the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, also seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology.
{{/usCountry}}This came a day after the government offered to debate students’ issues and police action in Parliament with a reply by Shah, in an effort to resolve the two-week-long Parliament logjam. However, the Opposition has insisted on specific responses over alleged police brutality on student protesters in Delhi and the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, also seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology.
{{/usCountry}}Also Read | Lok Sabha adjourned within 4 mins as Opposition sticks to Shah statement demand
‘Shah proved that those who intimidate are themselves cowards’: Ramesh
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh said, “After all that planting of news and desperate attempts to shift the narrative, the Union Home Minister was a no-show in the Lok Sabha today as well - even though he had business listed against his name.”
“Once again, he has proved that those who intimidate are themselves cowards,” Ramesh said, adding that it was “truly unprecedented” that Shah was “missing from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha” for 17 days. “The question naturally arises: Is he well? Is all ok between # 1 and #2? The nation wants to know,” Ramesh said.
‘Rahul Gandhi has run away’: Rijiju
In response to the Opposition's claims, Rijiju said that the government had made an offer and was ready “for a complete and detailed discussion over everything which happened around the students' protest.” He said the government and union home minister Shah “had the reply ready”.
“But they (the opposition) are not letting a discussion happen. Today, too, we were ready. But Congress ran away and sloganeered outside, not letting a discussion take place,” Rijiju told reporters outside Parliament, ANI news agency reported.
Rijiju said it was “unfortunate” that the Congress “is running away from discussion”, adding that it was “clear to the people” that the Centre was ready for a discussion. “What did Rahul Gandhi say from the beginning? That Home Minister should issue a statement. We are saying that we will have a full-fledged discussion and reply on each and every point...When that happens, everything will be clear,” he said.
“Rahul Gandhi has run away. Monsoon session is at its end, Govt has made an offer of detailed discussion on students' protest. Congress party should not run away,” he added.