Kerala CM accepts Cong leader's debate challenge
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday accepted Congress leader V D Satheesan's challenge for a public debate, intensifying the political sparring ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls.
A day after Satheesan challenged him for a public debate, Vijayan shared the LDF government's "report card" on his social media handle and said the discussion could be held based on the achievements listed in it.
Highlighting what he termed as the government's "A-plus" performance, the chief minister asked whether the opposition was ready to debate on those points.
Soon after Vijayan's post, Satheesan said he accepted the challenge and was ready for the debate at a time and venue decided by the CM.
"Now that the chief minister has said he is ready for a debate, he can decide the place and time. I will be there accordingly. Let the people decide the rest," Satheesan said in a Facebook post.
The development follows Satheesan's criticism on Sunday that the LDF government had not built as many houses in the past 10 years as were constructed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
He also said that the detailed figures of various development projects implemented through different departments were available in replies given by LDF ministers in the Assembly, and reiterated his readiness for an open debate with Vijayan on development issues.
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Opposition stages walkout in RS over BJP MP's remarks on misuse of OBC reservation
New Delhi (PTI): The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed a walkout by several opposition parties over BJP member K Laxman's remarks that OBC reservation is being misused in the name of religion.
Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda criticised the walkout, saying the Congress leadership and the opposition's INDIA alliance are neither interested in debates nor have any respect for democratic values or the Constitution.
During Zero Hour, Laxman raised the issue of OBC reservation, and said their quota is being misused in the name of religion.
He said some states are extending reservations to Muslims and requested the government to order a comprehensive review of such religion-based reservations.
While he was speaking, certain opposition members raised objections to Laxman's remarks.
Later, almost the entire opposition staged a walkout from the House.
Nadda said the opposition parties are disrespectful to the Constitution and do not respect the parliamentary procedures.
He further said opposition parties consider Muslims as a vote bank, while accusing them of engaging in appeasement politics.
