In New Delhi, Congress leaders protested inside the Rajasthan Assembly after a BJP minister, Avinash Gehlot, referred to former PM Indira Gandhi as “aapki dadi” (your grandmother). In response, Congress MLAs, led by Tikaram Jully, staged an overnight protest and provided a home-cooked meal, with MLA Anil Sharma catering from his own kitchen, a family tradition during political standoffs. Tensions escalated as Congress demanded an expungement of the remarks, while Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa defended Gehlot, claiming the term was meant respectfully. Six Congress MLAs were subsequently suspended by the Speaker for the protest.
New Delhi:
While Congress leaders maintained their protest, two individuals carrying sizable tiffin boxes ascended the stairs of the Rajasthan Assembly to serve the hungry MLAs. The tiffin boxes were filled with Bajra chapatis, gatte ki sabzi, garlic chutney, dum aloo, fogla raita, and halwa among other items.
The demonstration was triggered by a BJP leader’s comments regarding former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during yesterday’s assembly question hour. After spending the night in the assembly premises, Congress leaders opted to bolster their resistance with a homemade feast. Congress MLA Anil Sharma took on the responsibility of the catering, bringing food prepared in his own kitchen. Mr. Sharma’s act follows a tradition upheld by his family; his father, Bhanwarlal Sharma, was known for providing meals during political standoffs in the assembly, and on prior occasions, food had also been sourced from Mr. Sharma’s home in similar situations.
The current impasse was initiated after state minister Avinash Gehlot referred to Indira Gandhi as “aapki dadi” (your grandmother). Congress MLAs objected strongly to this remark and demanded its removal from the assembly records. Tensions rose as multiple party leaders, led by the Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, initiated an overnight protest within the assembly.
Mr. Jully insisted on the removal of the minister’s comments, accusing the ruling party of trying to distract from its ministers’ mishaps.
“The MLAs were ready; we had communicated with the speaker, but received no response. I believe the government aims to publicly showcase the Opposition as mere blockers, but that is not the case. We are simply requesting that the remarks made about Indira Gandhi ji be retracted, while they fabricate an issue to cover up their (BJP) ministers’ errors,” Mr. Jully stated today, as reported by news agency ANI.
Congress MLAs contended that the Speaker had the opportunity to address the situation by expunging the remarks but instead allowed tensions to intensify.
“Everyone is equal in the assembly, and it’s the duty of all, including the Assembly speaker, to uphold dignity. The Speaker could have issued an order to expunge those remarks, but you intentionally provoke the opposition. We had to endure an entire night here. The people of the state are witnessing the government’s stubbornness,” Mr. Jully added.
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa defended the state government, asserting that the minister’s comments were misinterpreted. He stated that Avinash Gehlot referred to Indira Gandhi as ‘Didi’ (elder sister) out of respect, but the Opposition exaggerated the situation for political advantage.
“The incident took place inside the state Assembly yesterday; our Minister used the term ‘Didi’ (referring to former PM Indira Gandhi) respectfully. However, the opposition misconstrued it. The Speaker assured that this part would be expunged, yet the opposition continued verbal attacks. This behavior is condemnable,” he told ANI.
Minister Jogaram Patel also defended Mr. Gehlot’s choice of words and accused Congress of inciting needless chaos.
As tensions rose, Speaker Vasudev Devnani suspended six Congress MLAs for the remainder of the budget session. Those suspended included Govind Singh Dotasara, Deputy Leader of Opposition Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Zakir Hussain Gasavat, Hakeem Ali Khan, and Sanjay Kumar.