In a charged Lok Sabha session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignited controversy with a sharp remark aimed at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, amidst ongoing political tensions over Gandhi's recent comments on Hindus and Modi's leadership. Addressing the House, Gandhi pointedly remarked on the cordiality shown by BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, alleging a stark change in demeanour when Prime Minister Modi is present.
In a charged Lok Sabha session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignited controversy with a sharp remark aimed at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, amidst ongoing political tensions over Gandhi's recent comments on Hindus and Modi's leadership. Addressing the House, Gandhi pointedly remarked on the cordiality shown by BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, alleging a stark change in demeanour when Prime Minister Modi is present.

Summary

In a charged Lok Sabha session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignited controversy with a sharp remark aimed at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

NEW DELHI: In a charged Lok Sabha session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignited controversy with a sharp remark aimed at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, amidst ongoing political tensions over Gandhiโ€™s recent comments on Hindus and Modiโ€™s leadership.

Addressing the House, Gandhi pointedly remarked on the cordiality shown by BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, alleging a stark change in demeanour when Prime Minister Modi is present.

He said, โ€œThis morning, Rajnath Singh greeted me well but it stops when PM Modi is aroundโ€ฆ (He becomes) serious, no smile,โ€ the Raebareli MP said. โ€œThe same happens with (Nitin) Gadkarijiโ€.

Gandhi suggested this shift reflects an atmosphere of fear cultivated by Modi within his party and among the populace.

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In response, Modi retorted, โ€œThe Constitution and democracy have taught me to take the Leader of Opposition seriously,โ€ a comment laden with sarcasm given the context of Gandhiโ€™s critique.

The exchange unfolded amidst uproar following Gandhiโ€™s earlier comments on Hinduism, where he controversially remarked, โ€œThose who call themselves Hindu (BJP members) only talk about violence.โ€

Modiโ€™s intervention, emphasizing the need to respect the opposition, underscored the ongoing polarisation in Indian politics. His remarks on โ€˜Hindusโ€™ were swiftly followed by a demand for an apology from Rahul Gandhi by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, intensifying the parliamentary confrontation.

However, Rahul Gandhi hit back immediately at the Prime Minister and said, โ€ BJP and Modi are not the entire Hindu society.โ€ โ€œNarendra Modiโ€™s not the entire Hindu society.โ€

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Gandhi, newly appointed as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha after a decade, utilized the platform to criticise BJP policies, accusing the government of systematic attacks on constitutional principles and the foundational ethos of India. He highlighted instances of alleged persecution and legal scrutiny faced under the current regime.

The Rae Bareli MP said he is happy and proud to be in Opposition. โ€œFor us, there is something more than power, it is truth,โ€ he added during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the presidentโ€™s address to a joint sitting of Parliament.