In Rajya Sabha, Kharge refers to LS row, draws BJP fire

NEW DELHI: In a rare development in Parliament Thursday, standoff between treasury and opposition benches in Lok Sabha became a subject of debate in Rajya Sabha as leader of opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the governing alliance for allegedly not allowing Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lower House.Kharge’s reference to LS proceedings drew a sharp response from BJP, with Leader of the House in RS JP Nadda mocking Rahul as “abodh balak (ignorant child)” and reminding Kharge that events of one House cannot be debated in another. However, Congress chief Kharge insisted that as both Houses are pillars of democracy, he was raising the issue in the Upper House as LS was not functioning for the past four days because its LoP, Rahul, was not being allowed to speak. Opposition members staged a walkout over the issue from Rajya Sabha. Nadda asked Kharge not to let Congress become “hostage” to Rahul and said arrogance and ignorance should not dictate actions. Kharge condemned use of the term “abodh balak” and alleged that BJP MPs cannot speak their minds without directions from top leadership. Congress did not want to disturb RS but LS had not functioned for four days because Rahul was not being allowed to speak, he alleged.