Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi has urged Speaker Om Birla to examine and expunge what the party terms as “defamatory remarks” made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Gogoi said the Congress is ready to participate in legislative business for the Winter Session of Parliament following the Speaker’s decision.
In a letter dated December 10, Gogoi reiterated concerns over comments made during Zero Hour on December 5, which he described as defamatory and unparliamentary. “I implore you to announce your decision to examine our complaint and remove all defamatory and unparliamentary remarks from the record,” Gogoi wrote.
The Congress has also raised questions about the government’s willingness to allow both Houses of Parliament to function. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted Gogoi’s letter on X, asserting the party’s commitment to ensuring smooth parliamentary proceedings.
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Dubey’s remarks, made during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, linked Rahul Gandhi to a US-based billionaire investor and an investigative platform, alleging a conspiracy to derail India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The comments sparked uproar in the House, leading to an adjournment of proceedings.
Speaking outside Parliament, Gogoi hit back, accusing Dubey of being part of the “sleeper cells of Adani” activated to defame those who expose corruption allegations involving the conglomerate. The Congress has alleged that “agents of Adani” are being used to discredit opposition leaders critical of the group.
Dubey claimed the Congress was attempting to derail Parliament based on media reports from foreign publications, some of which emerged on the eve of parliamentary sessions. He suggested the reports were part of an orchestrated effort involving Congress and international organisations.