Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Parliament (Img: Pinterst)
New Delhi: A political face-off unfolded outside Parliament on Tuesday as NDA MPs targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the Jharkhand student protests. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stopped during the protest after a BJP MP raised slogans questioning Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the state.
The BJP MP repeatedly asked, “Jharkhand kyun nahi gaye?” (Why didn’t he go to Jharkhand?), while holding a placard targeting Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi paused, looked at the placard and responded to the slogan being raised against her brother.
The exchange took place as NDA MPs staged a demonstration outside Parliament over the police action against students and job aspirants in Jharkhand. BJP leaders accused Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition of raising issues selectively while not visiting the state during the protests.
Delhi: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "I have seen for the first time that ruling party MPs are protesting..."#Parliament #Congress #LokSabha #RajyaSabha @INCIndia @priyankagandhi pic.twitter.com/ADIBPCPX5N
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As the BJP MP continued his slogans, Priyanka Gandhi countered, saying, “Rahul ji Jharkhand ke chhatron se mile bhi hain.” (Rahul Gandhi has also met the students of Jharkhand.)
After the brief confrontation, Priyanka Gandhi moved ahead and later spoke to reporters about the political developments.
Reacting to the protest, Priyanka Gandhi said that she had noticed NDA MPs holding such a demonstration for the first time and claimed that Opposition pressure had forced the government to respond.
She said, “At least we have forced them to do this. Now he (Amit Shah) should come and give a statement.”
The Congress leader demanded that the government address concerns related to student protests and provide clarity on the action taken.
The confrontation comes after clashes between police and protesters in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Thousands of students and job aspirants had attempted to march towards the state Assembly, following which security forces used water cannons, tear gas and lathi charges to control the situation.
The incident has now become a major political issue, with the BJP targeting the Jharkhand government and Congress raising questions over the government’s response. The matter is likely to remain a key flashpoint during the ongoing Parliament Monsoon Session.
