Opposition’s mike is silenced in our Parliament, Rahul Gandhi told British MPs

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday told British MPs in the Parliament complex in London that in India’s Lok Sabha the mikes for the opposition are often silenced. During a program organized by Indian-origin MP Virendra Sharma of the opposition Labor Party in the Grand Committee Room of the House of Commons, Rahul Gandhi also shared the experiences of Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra. Rahul Gandhi termed this yatra as an intense political exercise to unite the people.

In a lighter vein, Rahul Gandhi used a faulty mic in the room to make his point, which he termed as the suppression of the opposition in India.

Responding to a question on his experience of being a politician in India, the 52-year-old Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi told British MPs, “Our mics are not bad, they are working, but still you can’t turn them on.” This has happened many times during my speaking (in Parliament).

We were not allowed to discuss demonetisation, which was a disastrous financial decision, alleged the former Congress president. We were not allowed to discuss GST. We were not allowed to discuss the issue of Chinese troops entering Indian territory.

He said that I remember a Parliament where there was lively discussion and vigorous debate and arguments and disagreements were expressed but there was dialogue between us. Clearly we feel this deficiency in the Parliament. We have to use the discussion to coordinate other debates. There is a suffocation that continues.

In fact, BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of defaming India on foreign soil while praising China. Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday targeted the Congress leader and asked him not to betray the country. He told journalists in Delhi that you should not betray India, Rahul ji. Attack on India’s foreign policy is a reflection of your low intellectual level. The efforts you make to defame your country by going to foreign land, spreading lies… no one will believe it.