Important that nation hears apology from Rahul Gandhi: Goyal in Parliament

Union minister Piyush Goyal in the Parliament on Wednesday said that the nation deserves an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for discrediting the country and the parliament.

The matter relates to Gandhi’s speech at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, in which he allegedly said that the Indian democracy is under “attack” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

“It is important that the nation hears an apology from the leader of their party (Congress) who is responsible for causing so much discredit to the country and to the Parliament,” Goyal said.

Goyal’s attack came amid the continued impasse in Parliament’s budget session. Both Houses have failed to transact any significant business on the first two days of the budget session.

On Tuesday, Goyal had accused the opposition party of willfully stalling Parliament with its “irresponsible” comments and “unfounded” allegations to mislead the country amid global recognition of PM Modi’s leadership.

The Union minister further blamed the Congress for stalling the proceedings in both houses of the Parliament and alleged that the opposition does not want the parliament to function.

Goyal’s remarks soon sparked reactions from the opposition leaders, as Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) prob on the Adani issue.

“All we want is a discussion on the Adani issue, so the truth is revealed,” said Kharge.

“It’s high time that the country hears, what are their (Congress’s) intentions behind making such comments. What is in their mind? Do they respect Parliament? Do they respect constitutional authorities? Do they respect the media and the journalists? The judiciary?” asked Goyal, stating that the entire house will remain agitated unless an apology from the Congress leader is received.

On Monday, the Congress blamed the Centre for the impasse in Parliament which happened due to the refusal to allow the opposition to raise its demand for a JPC probe into the Adani issue.

Goyal also accused Congress leader Jairam Ramesh of making ‘baseless’ accusations against the chair. “Congress’s Jairam Ramesh had made baseless accusations against the chair. The leader of the opposition refused to meet the chairman. We condemn this. This is a very unfortunate situation in the parliament,” Goyal said.

On Tuesday, some parties, including the Congress allegedly did not attend the meeting called by the Speaker.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have been demanding an apology from Gandhi for his remarks at Cambridge that the Indian democracy is under “attack”, saying that it was defaming the country.

The Congress leader, however, dismissed the allegations, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for building a ‘false narrative’.

Gandhi had addressed a lecture at Cambridge University in London where he mentioned that Indian democracy is under pressure and opposition voices are being stifled.

Gandhi’s remarks triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP accusing him of maligning India on foreign soil and seeking foreign interventions and has been demanding an apology since the day.

Meanwhile, Gandhi was convicted in a criminal defamation case by a Gujarat court earlier on Wednesday for his comments made in Karnataka’s Kolar district ahead of the 2019 national election. He was found guilty by a Surat court in Gujarat and was sentenced to two years of jail term but was released on bail to be able to appeal the verdict.