Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at the Congress on Wednesday while speaking about parliamentary functioning, alleging that the party's young and talented MPs were being pushed aside due to the "insecurity" of its leadership. While he did not mention names, his comments were interpreted as a sharp dig at the Opposition party.
PM Modi reportedly said this during the traditional informal interaction of leaders in Speaker Om Birla's office after the House had been adjourned. Opposition leaders missed the gathering.
The Prime Minister, according to media reports, regretted that a number of bills passed during the monsoon session were not debated properly as the Opposition parties boycotted the proceedings. One of the leaders present pointed out that it was getting increasingly tough to get Congress party members to sit and talk, as the few who did turn up were not influential with the party leadership.
It was then that PM Modi reportedly made the observation that while the Congress does have "bright young MPs," they were being stopped from taking a front-foot role because of the leadership's "insecurity."
Retorting quickly, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari shot back, "I want to tell you (PM Modi) - who else has scope in BJP besides you? Amit Shah also has some, but he also operates at your instruction. Who is left besides you two? Whatever you desire happens there."
The Opposition has been holding vigorous protests against the Special Intensive Review of the electoral rolls in Bihar, which persistently disrupted both Houses in the Monsoon Session. In spite of the commotion, the government proceeded with its legislative agenda.
Read also| India’s Airline Industry to Achieve 11–14% Operating Profit This Fiscal Year: Report
