Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that he was not being given a chance to speak in the House which was being run in a "non-democratic style", and said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had made "unsubstantiated" remarks about him.
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00:00Is the Lok Sabha speaker biased against Rahul Gandhi as the Congress claims?
00:05Is there no level playing field in Parliament?
00:07Is the BJP justified in claiming that Rahul Gandhi is someone who is treating Parliament
00:12casually?
00:13These are some of the questions I will raise.
00:15Joining me now is Sujata Paul.
00:17She is spokesperson of the Congress.
00:19We also are joined by Sanju Verma, national spokesperson of the BJP.
00:25First to you Sujata Paul.
00:27The fact is Rahul Gandhi is claiming that he hasn't been allowed to speak by Om Birla.
00:35Is Rahul Gandhi protesting too much is the question we are raising at one level.
00:42What is the specific charge that you are making?
00:46What is the job of the opposition and the leader of opposition?
00:51To raise issues of the people of this nation, so that there is redressal of their grievances.
00:57Also to bring certain issues to the Parliament, so that the government's power can remain
01:05in check.
01:06This is what an opposition is supposed to be doing.
01:09The leader of opposition, as per convention, as you discussed with Mr. P. D. T. Achary,
01:14it has been the norm that the leader of opposition, whenever he's on his feet, he will be allowed
01:19to speak.
01:21Why is it that this is happening?
01:22There is no constitutional morality in the BJP and therefore they do not believe in the
01:27principles of democracy.
01:28Those who believe in...
01:29What was the issue that Rahul Gandhi wanted to raise with such urgency?
01:37Because let's be very clear, one of the charges against Rahul Gandhi is that he has not participated
01:41in enough Parliament debates.
01:44When I look at the numbers, Rahul Gandhi's numbers of participation in many debates are
01:48well below that of an average MP.
01:51Mr. Sardesai, if Rahul Gandhi is not being allowed to speak, how can you question what
01:57has happened in the past?
01:58He hasn't been allowed to speak as leader of opposition today.
01:59He wasn't allowed to speak when the Prime Minister was speaking on the court.
02:00When Rahul Gandhi wants to raise issues of people's concern, he's not allowed to speak
02:01when he wants to talk about unemployment, when he talks about the issues that are plaguing
02:02this country.
02:03The economy of this country, why is the government not willing to listen, and I'll tell you why.
02:23Because if you remember that the Prime Minister was so offended when he took Mr. Adani's name
02:29in Parliament, that after that all cases were speeded up, and he was convicted.
02:34Do you remember that?
02:35And after that, how is it that the Prime Minister will allow Mr. Rahul Gandhi to speak?
02:41The, the, the, the, why should he adjourn, adjourn the house?
02:46Why should he adjourn MP?
02:47Ma'am, I have a fix, I have a time, I don't allow anyone now to speak for more than a
02:51minute on a particular issue, please keep that in mind.
02:53So equal time to use, therefore Sanju Verma, Sanju Verma, the, we are still not being even
02:59a reason by the speaker as to why Parliament was adjourned, the Lok Sabha was adjourned.
03:04But the fact is, both last week, over the Kumbh Mela, and today, when Rahul Gandhi got
03:09up to speak, he was not allowed.
03:12Therefore there is a case being made that this is a non-level playing field where the
03:16speaker is not allowing the leader of the opposition to speak as per convention.
03:22Your response.
03:24Rajdeep, first and foremost, the audio is extremely patchy, am I loud and clear?
03:28You're loud and clear, ma'am, don't worry.
03:31Okay, good to hear that.
03:33You know, first and foremost, let's get this very clear.
03:36Om Birla, the speaker of the Lok Sabha, is the presiding officer of the house.
03:42He decides whether members will be suspended or not, whether the house will be adjourned
03:47or not.
03:48He is the final arbiter in terms of the proceedings of the house.
03:52He's the final interpreter of parliamentary conventions and precedents on the floor of
03:57the house.
03:58And this is not Sanju Verma saying so.
04:00Article 93, 94, 95, and 96 of the Constitution, the very book which is bandied about by the
04:07opposition.
04:08At every given opportunity, Kambidham ki laal kitab ko aise aise lehraate hue, Rahul Gandhi
04:15Modi Sarkar ko bhaashan dete rehte hain.
04:18But I need to tell your audience this.
04:21Rahul Gandhi is a leader without a cause.
04:24He's an icon of class.
04:26And I'll tell you why.
04:28The fact of the matter is that this is the same Rahul Gandhi who talks about being victimized,
04:34meri awaaz ko dabhane ki koshish ho rahi hai.
04:37But, you know, he abuses his parliamentary privileges.
04:41Forget about being leader of the opposition, even as a parliamentarian.
04:45I can't think of too many people who on foreign soil have said, you know what, India gave
04:50away 2000 square kilometers and a golden platter to the Chinese.
04:54Or, you know what, a large chunk of democracy is coming under in India and I'm surprised
04:58by the US and European Union.
05:00But that's not an answer.
05:02Sanju Verma, you know, as I said, one minute each.
05:05One minute each.
05:06No, no, Sanju Verma, just a minute.
05:09Equal time.
05:10Equal time.
05:11You're not answering my question.
05:12I asked you.
05:13I gave you two specific examples where the speaker has not allowed Rahul Gandhi to speak.
05:18Just a minute.
05:19Just a minute, ma'am.
05:20The speaker has not allowed Rahul Gandhi to speak.
05:23Your answer is the speaker as presiding office has primacy.
05:27Yes, he does.
05:28But is he being fair?
05:30In your view, Sanju Verma, is the speaker being fair or is the speaker biased?
05:38I have tremendous respect for you.
05:40Please showcase your mutual credentials as you tum-tum about them so often.
05:46You did not interject in Congress.
05:49I interjected her as well.
05:51I interjected her as well.
05:53I am asking you to answer my question.
05:55I'm giving you 60 seconds uninterrupted.
05:57Is the speaker of the Lok Sabha fair or biased?
06:02My time starts now and you will not heckle me even if you're tempted to do so.
06:07With great humility, I say that.
06:0860 seconds.
06:09Thank you, Rajdeep Sardepai.
06:10Yes.
06:1160 seconds from now.
06:12Let me repeat.
06:13Rahul Gandhi goes on foreign soil and says, large chunk of democracy has come undone in India.
06:19PIDDI media, not Gobi media, PIDDI.
06:22PIDDI media ke muhne sehvi kaal jam jata hai.
06:24Rahul Gandhi goes on foreign soil and says, you know what?
06:27In India, the Sikh community is not allowed to wear a turban, not allowed to sport a kada
06:32and not allowed to visit gurudwaras.
06:34And what happens?
06:35PIDDI media ke muhne sehvi kaal jam jata hai.
06:37Rahul Gandhi goes on foreign soil and says, you know what?
06:41The Modi government has gifted away 2,000 square kilometers on a golden platter to China
06:46despite Amit Shah, despite S.J. Shankar, despite Prime Minister Modi, despite Rajnath Singh
06:51Singh humne ek inch territory nahi di hai.
06:53PIDDI media ke muhne sehvi kaal jam jata hai.
06:56And my last point is this.
06:58Rahul Gandhi, speaker Om Birla does not need lessons in constitutional propriety from you.
07:05Tell me, Rajdeep, with your hand on your heart.
07:08Because I know you have a thinking mind.
07:10But with your hand on your heart today, tell me, how many parliamentarians can you think
07:14of who have winked, who have, you know, aise aise kiya jata hai kya?
07:19Yeh aapka drawing room nahi hai?
07:21Yeh aapne kisi ke gaal dabali hai.
07:23Aapne kisi...
07:24One minute.
07:25One minute.
07:26One minute.
07:27One minute.
07:28Yes, ma'am, your one minute is up.
07:29But you just now raised something because that is quite an interesting aspect that you
07:32just raised.
07:33No, no, no, please.
07:34One minute, ma'am.
07:35One minute.
07:36Your 60 seconds are up.
07:37I have counted them.
07:38Your 60 seconds are up.
07:39But I must ask you this.
07:40You just now said, you just now said that Rahul Gandhi touched the cheeks and the BJP's
07:45IT cell has put out a video of Rahul Gandhi touching the cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
07:50Now, if the speaker of the assembly feels, of the parliament feels that that is against
07:55decorum, he should say so.
07:57Also, the question arises, Sanju Verma, that when the prime minister was coming into the
08:02Lok Sabha today, all the MPs got up and started clapping and they are also being said that
08:08are they following the decorum?
08:10This is the Charlie opposition mix.
08:11Can I now answer that in 30 seconds?
08:13Please go ahead.
08:14That's a very nice question.
08:15Yes, that's a very nice question.
08:17I will tell you this.
08:18In a television news studio, it is the editor-in-chief who takes the call.
08:23And I know, at prime time, at 9pm, Rajdeep Sarvesai is the boss of his show.
08:27He decides what will be aired.
08:29He decides whether to give Sanju Verma 2 minutes or 20 seconds.
08:33Correct?
08:34Now, on the floor of the parliament, on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla will decide.
08:38And I think it's juvenile, it's puerile of a leader.
08:41Kabhi kisi ke gaal khinch liye.
08:43Kabhi kisi ko jaffi de di, bila, impromptu, bila kuch kahe.
08:46Kabhi kisi ko wink kar diya.
08:48Kabhi kisi ko fly kiss de diya.
08:50Kabhi kisi dignity, maryada, sayyam, yeh hona chahiye ya nahi?
08:54Rajdeep Sarvesai, ask questions today of Rahul Gandhi, not of Om Birla.
08:58You've made your point.
08:59I've allowed you more time than I've allowed the other side.
09:02Now, audio down.
09:03Sujata Paul, respond to what you've just heard.
09:06You see, the argument which is being made is that if Rahul Gandhi took parliament more seriously,
09:13was there every day front bench taking on the government day after day,
09:18then he would have a much stronger case than if he isn't speaking out day after day.
09:24Then, you see, the BJP turns around and said he treats parliament very casually.
09:30Rajdeep, I don't think that the BJP spokesperson has answered a single question that you asked her.
09:37She ranted about what Rahul Gandhi has said on foreign soil, etc. etc.
09:43What happened, you know, between him and his sister.
09:47These people do not respect relationships and that's where it ends.
09:51People do not have respect for a relationship as sacred as that of a brother and sister.
09:57That is why they come up with these privilege issues.
09:59And this clearly proves that they do not want to see Rahul Gandhi.
10:04What I said right at the beginning.
10:06What did the BJP spokesperson say?
10:08She said that he abuses the prime minister.
10:11Who abuses the prime minister?
10:13The prime minister should answer how many times he has abused former prime ministers of the country.
10:20How many of their parliamentarians have used abusive language inside parliament?
10:26Have you forgotten Nishikant Dubey and Ramesh Biduri?
10:31The way they have conducted themselves in parliament.
10:34But no, today they have a problem with Rahul Gandhi because he talks about the real issues of the country.
10:41And that is why they are privileging the entire debate.
10:44Your time also is up. Sanju Verma, you know, you're saying that Rahul Gandhi treats parliament casually.
10:50The question will arise, does Prime Minister Modi also treat parliament seriously enough?
10:54Today there was a question in question hour which was directed at the prime minister's office.
10:59Instead of the prime minister addressing that question, Jitendra Singh from the government did.
11:03And this is a routine practice. The prime minister of the country never addresses a question on question hour even on Wednesday.
11:10Which is the day when the prime minister of the country is supposed to address questions in parliament.
11:15Instead, when he comes, there's clapping, there's Modi, Modi, Jai Shri Ram.
11:19Is that also the way parliament should be conducted? It's not a political rally taking place in parliament.
11:25And surely the prime minister must also get up to answer questions like Jawaharlal Nehru used to do when he was prime minister.
11:31You know, Rajdeep, first and foremost, let me say one thing very clearly and now don't mute me.
11:37Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not need lessons in leadership from Rajdeep Sardesai.
11:42Or, you know, some two-bit troll in the Congress or some two-penny spokesperson of the Congress.
11:49Now, wait, wait, wait. Aapne itna kuch kaha, maine suna.
11:52Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the eve of Lok Sabha 2024 elections held 89 interviews.
12:00Unfortunately, you were not a part of those 89.
12:03So, don't take out your grouse against Prime Minister Modi.
12:06Aur jahaan pak baat Jawaharlal Nehru ki hai, wait.
12:09Now, let me give you one better point because baadar economy ki baat aati hai.
12:13Today, if you really...
12:15Ma'am, I'm asking you about parliament. Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am, ma'am, look.
12:18Ma'am, I don't want... I asked you a question. Please answer my question.
12:21You're not answering my question though.
12:24India's GDP has crossed 4.3 trillion dollars. Wait.
12:28We are going to be the world's fourth largest economy in a few months from now overtaking Japan.
12:33But Rajdeep Sardesai ke muh mein dahi jam gaya hai.
12:36He will talk about Nehru.
12:38Rajdeep Sardesai sawal puchte hai.
12:40Rajdeep Sardesai ko himmat hai ki sabse sawal puche.
12:44Wo himmat hai.
12:46Main 60 saal ka hone wala hu himmat hai mujh mein.
12:49Main aapse puch raha ho ek sawal aaj.
12:51Main aapse sawal puch raha ho.
12:53Why does the Prime Minister not answer questions in question hour?
12:56Rahul Gandhi treats Parliament casually.
12:59How does the Prime Minister treat Parliament?
13:01Answer my question.
13:03Yes. The point is, look at you. How intolerant you are.
13:07You constantly heckle me.
13:09Please keep quiet.
13:11Ma'am, I'm asking the other side also questions.
13:13Now let me finish. Don't heckle me now, please.
13:17Very, you know, patiently...
13:1930 seconds. 30 seconds uninterrupted.
13:21No. 60 seconds uninterrupted and you will not give in to temptation.
13:25Sanju Verma bolna chalu karti, aapke peth mein dard chalu ho jata hai Rajdeep ji.
13:30Pata nahi.
13:31No, she has to answer my questions.
13:33I will tell what I need to say because I have seen Congress spokespersons
13:37topic kuch bhi ho.
13:39Adani, Adani, Adani, Adani, Adani.
13:41Arre bhai saab, Adani was indicted by a US court, not convicted.
13:45If indicted means being convicted.
13:48Sonia Gandhi is indicted in the National Herald's camp.
13:52Rahul Gandhi is indicted in the National Herald's camp.
13:55P. Chidambaram is indicted in the INX Media's camp.
13:59Arvind Kejriwal is indicted in the Liquor's camp.
14:02Tejasvi Yadav is indicted in the IRCTC.
14:05What is this debate?
14:06Abhishek Banerjee is indicted in the cashier's camp.
14:08Madam, please wait Sujata ji.
14:10Let me come to the main point.
14:12I always believe Rajdeep in 20 seconds.
14:14The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
14:17Actions speak louder than words.
14:19Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown
14:22Jan Dhan Yojana World's Largest Financial Increase Scheme
14:26Rajdeep Sardesai ke moone dahi jam jata hai.
14:29Ayushman Bharat World's Largest Health Care Insurance Scheme
14:32Rajdeep Sardesai ne kahi par baat nahi ki moone dahi jam jata hai.
14:36Muddu Yojana World's Largest Financial Increase Scheme
14:39Rajdeep Sardesai ne kahi par baat nahi ki moone dahi jam jata hai.
14:42I asked you a question.
14:43I asked you a question.
14:44Aapke moone dahi jam jata hai.
14:45You don't answer my question.
14:47Why does the Prime Minister not take question in question hour?
14:49But okay, volume down.
14:51I want to come to you Sujata.
14:53Sujata, Paul, I want to understand from you.
14:55I gave the numbers of Rahul Gandhi.
14:57How many debates has he participated in?
15:00How many questions?
15:01I repeat my charge.
15:03Rahul Gandhi needs to lead from the front.
15:05In 2014, he did not become leader of the opposition.
15:08He chose to be a backbencher.
15:10Ditto 2019.
15:11Now in 2024, as leader of the opposition,
15:14he should be there every day taking up the debates.
15:17If he does that, automatically his stature will rise
15:20whether the speaker tries to allow him or intervenes in what he says.
15:25Aren't you innocent, Rajdeep?
15:28You know very well that the Prime Minister,
15:31once he's decided that he doesn't want to see somebody's face,
15:34he's adamant about it and he'll go to any extent to ensure
15:37that that person doesn't come before him.
15:41Are you saying that the Prime Minister is influencing Om Birla?
15:44Is that the charge you're making?
15:46That Mr. Om Birla should answer
15:49because this is a question that I'm asking Mr. Om Birla
15:52directly through your platform today.
15:54As to why is he not allowing the leader of opposition to speak?
15:58Because dissent is vital to this democracy of ours.
16:02And he is undermining our democracy
16:05by stifling the voice of dissent
16:08which will be raised over there
16:10to prevent majority tyranny in this nation
16:13which is happening today in the parliament.
16:16And we will not allow it.
16:17The leader of opposition will not allow it.
16:19But when you talk about the interviews
16:22as the BJP spokesperson spoke about,
16:2589-stage interviews is what we saw.
16:28We saw the Prime Minister dividing the country
16:31during the Lok Sabha campaign
16:33when he spoke about the Mujras, etc.
16:36But when you talk about parliament today,
16:38the leader of opposition is a face
16:41which has been reserved for the opposition,
16:44for the voices of the people
16:46and the Prime Minister does not want to hear any voice other than his own.
16:51Okay, you've made your point.
16:53I've heard you, your time is out.
16:54You claim the Prime Minister does not want to hear any voice other than his own.
16:58Sanju Verma on the other hand claims
17:00the Prime Minister's actions speak louder than words.
17:03Either way, what we've seen in parliament is unfortunate.