NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took digs at protesting opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha during his reply on Motion of Thanks on President’s address. The Prime Minister singled out leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and said: “”Given Kharge ji’s age and seniority, I urge the Chair that he can stay seated and still raise his voice.” The opposition MPs started shouting slogans as soon as the Prime Minister started his reply in Rajya Sabha. However, the Prime Minister continued with his speech amid sloganeering. Eventually the opposition walked out of the House. This prompted another swipe from the Prime Minister who said “Thak gaye, bhaag gaye.”The opposition members were demanding that the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak in Lok Sabha. Earlier today, Rajya Sabha witnessed a stormy start to the session, with government and opposition getting into verbal confrontation over denial of permission to leader of opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lok Sabha and also over attempts to stall Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the lower House.Lok Sabha was adjourned moments after reconvening on Thursday, following which the Upper House witnessed noisy scenes and uproar with opposition accusing the government of gagging the Leader of Opposition. This invited strong counters from leader of house in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda and Union minister Kiren Rijiju.Mallikarjun Kharge, after receiving special permission from the Rajya Sabha Chairman, condemned the Lok Sabha’s decision to restrict Rahul Gandhi from speaking fully in the House. Congress chief Kharge highlighted concerns over limitations on discussing matters of national interest, questioning how Parliament could function effectively under such constraints.
