New Delhi, February 5: In a heated exchange in the Lok Sabha, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi referred to Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu as a ‘traitor.’ This incident drew a response from Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi.
Chaturvedi remarked that this incident reflects the tense atmosphere during the Lok Sabha session, where bitterness and confrontation have reached a peak. She stated, “What is happening in Parliament is evident in this rhetoric. Both sides are entrenched in their positions. There is no coordination, no middle ground, and no dialogue.”
She acknowledged that the events within the Parliament mirrored the prevailing atmosphere. However, she also conceded that unfortunately, inappropriate language has been used by both parties.
On the topic of the India-U.S. trade agreement, Chaturvedi raised serious concerns. She emphasized that understanding why India has entered into a trade deal that seemingly compels it to refrain from purchasing oil from Russia, sidelining its strategic interests, is crucial.
She hinted that this agreement raises questions about India’s independent foreign policy.
Addressing the issue of the Systematic Voter Registration (SVR), Chaturvedi explained that its initial purpose was to enhance transparency in the electoral roll and remove names of deceased or fraudulent voters. She accused the Election Commission of now using the SVR as a tool to limit voter rights, resulting in the removal of legitimate voters’ names.
Meanwhile, in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing the BJP of manipulating elections. He stated, “The BJP is continuously disrupting elections under the guise of SVR. We have witnessed this not only in Bengal but also in Assam and other parts of the country.”
Verma noted that whenever an opposition party or a member of the India Bloc raises a complaint, they receive no substantial response from the Election Commission. He described this as unfortunate for the nation, highlighting that an elected Chief Minister, who has completed three consecutive terms, is compelled to defend herself in the Supreme Court.