BJP accuses Congress of changing goalposts, disrupting Lok Sabha for 15 days

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday accused Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of repeatedly shifting their demands, preventing the Lok Sabha from functioning, and attempting to “create chaos by spreading confusion” during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

At a press briefing, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda challenged Mr. Gandhi to debate any issue in the House, asserting that the government would give a “befitting reply”. “Essentially, their intention is to prevent the House from functioning, and that is why they have been disrupting the proceedings for the past 15 days,” Mr. Nadda said, describing the Congress as an “irresponsible” opposition.

Mr. Nadda said the Opposition had initially demanded a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue, and when the government agreed, it moved to the Ram Mandir Trust. “Then, they demanded a statement from the Home Minister on the Jantar Mantar matter,” he added.

On the Jantar Mantar issue, Mr. Nadda said that after the government agreed to take it up, the Opposition was misleading the people by claiming that shots were fired at the site. “In reality, no shots were fired there, and no such order was issued,” he said, alleging that the Opposition had shifted the goalposts.

“Today, they are trying to spread confusion. When the Home Minister has said that he is ready to answer every question raised by the Opposition, why are they running away from the discussion? Rahul Gandhi, do not run away,” Mr. Nadda said, directly challenging the Congress leader.

The Union Minister further accused the Opposition of “double standards”, citing its response to the situation in Jharkhand. “Can they not hear the voices of the students in Jharkhand today? At Rahul Gandhi’s behest, barbed wires have been put up there,” he said, without providing evidence for the claim.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the government had decided that the Home Minister would not only make a statement on the students’ movement but also respond to the entire debate. He said the government was fully prepared for a full-fledged discussion and had made its position clear in the Business Advisory Committee meeting.

“The Opposition should not disrupt the proceedings of the House by creating a ruckus. The government has made its offer,” Mr. Rijiju said, adding that there were differences among Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, which they should resolve among themselves.

The monsoon session has witnessed repeated disruptions, with the Opposition pressing for discussions on issues ranging from the NEET paper leak to the situation at Jantar Mantar. The government maintains that it is willing to discuss any issue, while accusing the Opposition of avoiding debate by shifting its demands.