Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete might not have voted in favour of the Modi government on July 20 on the No Trust Motion but was in a completely tricky situation on Monday when in Lok Sabha he had to be up on his feet identifying himself as the 'cabinet minister' of the BJP-led NDA dispensation.
During the discussions in the House on The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge was up on his feet raising point of order and insisted that two Union Ministers should be present in the House during any debate on a Bill. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs quickly pointed towards Mr Geete sitting in his trade mark white suit and for his part the Sena leader also lost no time to spring up quickly and said: "here I am".
Mr Kharge, however, said: "There should be in fact two cabinet ministers, you have only one and he does not have confidence in your government".
Several BJP members raised objections to such observation and among others Nishikant Dubey said
Mr Kharge's remarks must be withdrawn.
Mr Geete kept his hand raised even as members were speaking.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also walked into the House shortly and pointing towards a smiling Mr Geete said, "woh hamare saath hae (He is with us)".
Putting the ruling NDA combine and the BJP leadership into major embarrassment, Shiv Sena MPs including the Union Minister Mr Geete had stayed away from the No Confidence Motion debate on July 20 and also did not vote against it despite series of efforts made by the BJP to reach out to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. In fact, during last two days commenting on the proceedings in Lok Sabha on the no trust motion and the voting, Sena leaders have more than once mocked at the BJP and even supported Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his speech and the dramatic interlude of embracing Prime Minister in the House.
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| Blogger at job |
BJP finds faultlines in Congress: Sympathises with MMS while quotes Antony and Pranab to target Rahul
Answering a question at a press conference on whether former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should now speak out on Rafale issue and goof up by Rahul, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said said the desperation of Dr Singh could be well understood.
''Having been Prime Minister for 10 years, he understands the sensitivity of foreign policy...the manner in which Rahul Gandhi has dragged him to controversy must have made life miserable for him (former prime minister), '' Mr Prasad said, adding that ''I expect him now to respond.''
The BJP leader said on various occasions, UPA defence ministers -- A K Antony and Pranab Mukherjee -- ''on various occasions have refused to parliament on the cost break-up of the deals invoking the Security pact and the national interest.''
BJP also stepped up attack against Rahul Gandhi for his statement in Parliament on Rafale deal and said the Congress President has committed two blunders during the No Trust debate and such utterances were nothing but being "irresponsible".
"Rahul Gandhi cannot be irresponsible...He was wrong on two counts. First to say that there was no confidentiality clause and secondly to drag French President Emmanuel Macron into a debate of domestic politics," Prasad told reporters.
He also dismissed a statement issued by three Congress leaders former Defence Minister A K Antony and Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala earlier in the day that the 'secrecy agreement' between India and France did not prohibit the Government of India to share information about the ‘commercial cost’ of Rafale aircraft deal.
Mr Prasad said contrary to Congress party's allegation -- the final cost relating to weaponry and India specific capabilities and maintenance '' are essentially part of the classified information'' and cannot be disclosed. He said Mr Antony was only toeing the line of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in spreading the untruth on the sensitive matter.
"Since a member of the family has resorted to falsehood, the crowd around the family has no option but to collectively sing the tune of falsehood. When a party belongs to a family concerned every one has to behave like a part of the crowd," the BJP leader said.
He said: "Rahul Gandhi has put himself in an unenviable position where he is prima facie guilty of breach of privilege....Therefore, as part of his defence, Mr Gandhi has attempted to divert from the issue and fielded former Defence Minister A K Antony".
Referring to Congress move to press for a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the BJP leader said: "The threat of a privilege against the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister is an act of misplaced bravado".He said the breach of privilege issue in Parliament is a serious matter and anyone should press for it only from a position of strength.
"Just like PIL in courts have turned out to be a publicity seeking tool, we should not think on the same line in Parliament," he said.
PM arrives Rawanda, does not mind a hug
Kigali (Rawanda), Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a two day visit to Rawanda. He was received with a hug by Rawanda President Paul Kagame.
"A special gesture by a close friend and a strategic partner! Prime Minister Narendera Modi personally received by Rwandan President Paul Kagame at #Kigali International Airport on the first leg of his three-nation tour," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
Photo graphs of the arrival scene shows that Mr Modi was received by President Kagame and both leaders took each other in arms.
This is first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Rwanda.
Mr Modi will also visit Uganda on Tuesday and then proceed towards South Africa for BRICS Summit.
ends
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