Govt embarrassed as PM’s remark on Congress leader expunged from record
New Delhi, August 10: A comment made by PM Modi after NDA candidate Harivansh won the election for the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson, was deleted from the house records, causing embarrassment for the government
In a rare and embarrassing development for the government, a portion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech has been deleted from the records in Parliament on Thursday, August 9.
Modi allegedly made “derogatory remarks” about Congress candidate BK Hariprasad in the Rajya Sabha after the NDA candidate Harivansh won the election for the post of deputy chairperson.
As per media reports, PM Modi in his speech while congratulating Harivansh, said that the election was between “two Haris” and he went on to take a swipe at Hariprasad, playing on his initials. The PM’s remark was seen as derogatory by some from the Opposition camp.
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha raised the issue under Rule 238 and urged Rajya Sabha chairperson Venkaiah Naidu to expunge the remark. Jha said PM’s remarks were “derogatory in direction and intent.”
Immediately after this, Modi praised Hariprasad for doing his bit to protect the dignity of democracy in a lost battle.
As per media reports, PM Modi, in his speech while congratulating Harivansh, said that the election was between “two Haris” and he went on to take a swipe at Hariprasad playing on his initials. PM’s remark was seen as derogatory by some from the Opposition camp
While BJP leaders called it an example of Rajya Sabha chairman Naidu’s fairness and non-partisanship, the Congress said the prime minister’s words lowered the dignity of the house.
Remarks made by the prime minister are rarely expunged from the records.
In a similar incident which occurred in 2013, after a sharp exchange in Parliament between then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, some words used by both of them were expunged.
Harivansh has defeated Hariprasad by securing 125 votes to 105 after the BJD offered its support to the JD(U) MP.
In his victory speech following the election, Harivansh said he would uphold the dignity of the Upper House and expressed hope that differences would be ironed out through constructive debate, consensus and guidance.
“Treading on rules and procedures framed by our Constitution makers, we can lead the country to greatness… there would be differences in debates, there would be different opinions… we can find a way,” said Harivansh in the Parliament.
Courtesy: www.nationalheraldindia.com
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Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi triggers debate over change of Congress state president
Bengaluru, Jan 15: Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday sparked a debate within the ruling Congress over the change of the state president, saying a full-time leader was needed to devote more time to the party in the state.
Currently, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar holds the post.
“It’s not about whether this person or that person should become the party president. The person should give their full time to the party. That’s the only demand, and nothing else,” Jarkiholi told reporters here.
According to him, while there is a lot of discussion happening at the lower levels, it should also take place at the top level.
“It’s not about someone’s adamant posture. We want someone who works, that’s it,” the minister said.
Noting that the decision is up to the party's high command, whether to allow the incumbent to continue or bring in someone new, Jarkiholi emphasised that a discussion at the top level was needed.
The minister added, “The organisational work has decreased since all of us became ministers. We are busy with the work of our portfolios and our districts. We are not going anywhere, and we are not able to devote time to the party.”
He further explained that earlier, Congress leaders were all active in the party organisation, but after becoming ministers, the pressure to handle district-level work left them with little time for the party.
“Our only concern is that the speed with which we worked in 2023 is no longer there,” he said.
Jarkiholi also claimed that the party leadership had intended to change the state president after the Lok Sabha elections, but this has not happened.
“There was talk, and also a written note with K C Venugopal’s signature, stating that the post should be given up after the Lok Sabha elections. So now, they need to clarify whether the same person will continue, or they should gather the leaders and decide on a new president,” he said.
According to him, a few people from the backward community are ready to take up the job.
Reacting to this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told media in New Delhi that the party high command’s decision was supreme.
When he was told about Jarkiholi’s claim regarding Venugopal’s written letter for a change of the Congress state president, he said, “You better ask him.”
Congress state working president and MLA Tanveer Sait said Jarkiholi had raised this issue in the recent Congress Legislative Party meeting, where it was discussed in detail.
“There is no such information with us regarding a cabinet reshuffle or change of the party president,” he told reporters in Mysuru.
