As Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday went all out in his criticism of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla in the Lok Sabha, he also had a word of appreciation for his sister – Congress MP Priyanka Vadra Gandhi.
Rijiju claimed that under Priyanka, Congress would have performed better as she “at least comes to Parliament and listens” – the remarks that drew sharp reactions from Opposition members and a sharp response from Priyanka as well. The Wayanad MP strongly defended her brother, describing him as the only leader who refused to “bend” before the BJP-led government.
This is not the first time BJP leaders have tried to contrast Priyanka’s political style with Rahul’s, calling her a more effective and relatable figure than her brother, citing her natural connection with people, command over Hindi, sharp sense of humour, and conversational speaking style. Interestingly, however, this appears to be the first time a BJP leader has done it so openly, that too on the floor of the House. Congress leaders see it as an attempt to create internal competition between the siblings and embarrass both the Gandhi family and the party.
Taking on Gandhi multiple times during his reply, including referring to the “hug” and “wink” 2018-incident on the floor of the House, Rijiju said: “I have never seen such a leader who comes and hugs the Prime Minister, then goes back to his seat and winks at fellow party MPs (aankh maarta hai).”
He then went on to tell the Opposition: “There are many good people on your side as well. But since you have made him the Leader of the Opposition… Look, Priyanka Vadra Gandhi-ji is sitting behind and smiling. If she had been made the Leader of the Opposition, perhaps the performance would have been better. At least she sits and listens; your Leader of the Opposition does not even listen. She even smiles,” he added.
Responding to sharp reactions from the Congress, Rijiju added that as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister he believes that if any MP performs well, he should praise them. “I am a BJP leader and a minister, but as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister it is my duty to praise them. Is praising someone also a crime now? What has happened to the Congress members? They get upset if you say something good, and they get upset if you say something harsh as well,” he added.
In her retort to Rijuji, Priyanka said she was smiling because the very party that often criticises India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was now invoking his legacy. “I was laughing today because the person whom they criticise every day – Nehru ji – they are quoting the same person today. Suddenly, they have started respecting Nehru ji. They said that the one who made democracy strongest was Nehru ji,” she said.
She added that Gandhi is the only leader in the past 12 years who has not bowed before the government and continues to speak the truth fearlessly in Parliament. “This is because the LoP does not shy away from speaking the truth. They (the government) cannot digest the truth,” she said.
During the 2018 no-confidence motion debate, Gandhi walked across the aisle to hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi after delivering a speech in which he said he wanted to “clean your hearts of hatred, and instead ignite love” – a gesture that drew sharp criticism from the BJP.