A day after the presentation of the Union Budget, the proceedings of the Budget Session of Parliament continued on Wednesday, 2 February, with the Rajya Sabha beginning its sitting at 10 am.
During a debate on the President's Motion of Thanks address, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the speech made on Tuesday and pointed out that not a word was said about unemployment. He also attacked the BJP government for the increasing the gap between the rich and the poor, among other issues.
Gandhi will be the first Opposition leader to reply to the debate in the Lok Sabha, news agency ANI reported. The Lower House is scheduled to resume its proceedings at 4 pm on Wednesday.
The Budget Session of Parliament began on Monday, 31 January, with the President's Address.
The first leg of the Budget Session will end on 11 February. The second part of the session is scheduled from 14 March to 8 April. Standing committees will evaluate the budgetary allocations in the recess.
Due to the prevailing COVID-19 outbreak, the Rajya Sabha will sit from 10 am to 3 pm, and the Lok Sabha from 4 pm to 9 pm.
The Congress had, on Monday, moved a privilege motion against IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in both Houses for "misleading" the House on the Pegasus spyware issue.
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Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP Govt of Bringing Pak and China Together
He also accused the BJP government of having brought Pakistan and China together.
"And this is the single biggest crime you can commit against the people of India," Gandhi added.
Pointing out that "we are all nationalists here," Rahul said:
"I can see clearly that China has a plan...It is very clear that the Chinese and the Pakistanis are planning. Look at the weapons they are buying, look at who they are talking to..."
'Disrespect Me, but You Cannot Disrespect the People of the Country': Rahul Gandhi
Continuing his address, Rahul Gandhi said: "Disrespect me, but you cannot disrespect the people of the country."
"The Judiciary, the Election Commission, Pegasus, these are all instruments of destroying the voice of the union of states," he further alleged.
He was, however, stopped from making further reference to the Pegasus spyware by BJP leaders, stating that the matter is sub-judice.
'You Think You Can Suppress Languages & Cultures, You Have No Idea What You are Dealing With': Rahul to Modi Govt
Stating that this country was a partnership, and not a kingdom, Rahul Gandhi said: "You think you can suppress languages and cultures, you have no idea what you are dealing with."
"No matter what fantasies you (Modi government) might have, you will never ever rule over the people of the states of India. The only way India has been ruled…it has always been ruled by conversation and negotiation."
He also alleged that the idea of a king had come back, and that the institutions of India were being attacked by one idea.
"The people of Tamil Nadu...the farmers of Punjab...they do not have a voice. Only the king has a voice," Rahul Gandhi said.
'Not a Word About Unemployment in President's Address': Rahul Gandhi
Pointing out that he is speaking with the spirit of discomfort, not criticism, Congress Rahul Gandhi lamented the Presidential Address from Tuesday, and said that it laid bare the idea of 'two Indias': one of the rich and the privileged, and one of the poor.
"Not a word about unemployment in the presidential address," Gandhi said.
"Don't think that poor in this country will stay mum. This new, poor India is seeing everything, they can see that that the 100 richest in the country have more wealth than 55% of the country," he further added.
"My suggestion to the PM is, bridge the gap between the two Indias as soon as possible."Rahul Gandhi