Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after the opposition demanded a discussion on the West Asia conflict that has led to a spike in oil and LPG cylinder prices.
Speaking in the House, Kharge alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had time to pass any bills they wanted, but did not have the time to discuss the Iran war despite repeated notices. “The prices are rising, but they don’t want to discuss it. Whatever we suggest, they disagree. What they want, they enforce forcibly. Is it a democracy?” he remarked.
Responding to Kharge’s charge, Rijiju pointed towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s detailed statement on the war in both Houses. “An all-party meeting was called on the West Asia conflict, but the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses were absent. Where was Congress? Leaders of other parties also attended,” he added.
‘Where Was Your PM?’
Rijiju said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had provided details in the House on the steps taken by the government to control fuel prices amid the ongoing conflict. “The Prime Minister reduced excise duties so our common people do not suffer due to rising costs. Despite handling such a big crisis, you are politicising the matter. This is a time to stand united and not do politics,” he told Kharge.
Kharge responded by saying that Prime Minister Modi was himself absent from the all-party meeting cited by Rijiju. “Where was your PM? Where was he? Just as the Prime Minister sent his representative, we also sent our representatives,” he said.
“I sent my representative, and you were there as the government’s representative. If your Prime Minister was not present at the meeting, are we expected to come and listen to your lecture? What authority do you have? You do not have the power, and I strongly condemn such statements,” Kharge said.
Rijiju accused Kharge of not being willing to listen to the government despite being given his due respect and fleeing from his responsibilities, adding that the Congress President’s only task in the House was to insult the Prime Minister.
This came as the West Asia conflict continued to disrupt markets, leading to spikes in fuel and LPG gas cylinder prices. Commercial LPG prices were hiked by Rs 195.50 on Wednesday, pushing up costs for businesses such as hotels, restaurants and small enterprises.
Addressing the Lok Sabha last month, PM Modi called the situation “worrisome”, adding that the ongoing conflict has created economic, national security and humanitarian challenges for India, given the region’s strategic importance for energy supplies, trade routes and the large Indian diaspora living and working there.
“India has extensive trade relations with countries at war and affected by the conflict. The region where the conflict is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries around the world, particularly for a large portion of our crude oil and gas needs,” he said.
