LS security breach: Modi govt. has ‘strangulated’ democracy and shown ‘disdain’ for Parliament, Sonia Gandhi tells Congress MPs

The Narendra Modi government has “strangulated” democracy and the Prime Minister had shown his “disdain” for Parliament, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi said, referring to the face-off between the Opposition and the government over the December 13 security breach in the Lok Sabha. So many parliamentarians been suspended for a “legitimate demand” that the Home Minister should make a statement on the security breach in the Lok Sabha.

The Narendra Modi government has “strangulated” democracy and the Prime Minister had shown his “disdain” for Parliament, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi said on Wednesday, referring to the face-off between the Opposition and the government over the December 13 security breach in the Lok Sabha.

Ms. Gandhi made these remarks while addressing her party colleagues from both the Houses of Parliament in the Central Hall of the old Parliament building.

She said never had so many parliamentarians been suspended for a “legitimate demand” that the Home Minister should make a statement on the security breach in the Lok Sabha. 

The CPP chairperson claimed that it took four days for the Prime Minister to speak about the issue and that too outside Parliament.

“By so doing, he [Mr. Modi] clearly indicated his disdain for the dignity of the House and his disregard for the people of our country. I leave it to you to imagine how the BJP would have responded had they been in Opposition today,” Ms. Gandhi said.

Noting that the Parliament had passed some important Bills relating to Jammu & Kashmir, Ms. Gandhi said the Congress position was to press for restoration of Statehood, hold immediate elections and meet the aspirations of people Ladakh.

Ms. Gandhi also accused the government of “distorting history and twisting facts” to defame patriots such as Jawaharlal Nehru.