One mans foolishness...: Rijiju says govt to push major bills, slams oppn for wasting Parliaments time
Rijiju's remarks came after Delhi Police detained several INDIA bloc MPs, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, citing lack of permission for a protest march. The MPs were protesting against the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged "voter fraud".
New Delhi: Amid repeated disruptions in both Houses of Parliament since the start of the monsoon session, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition, stating that the government will now focus on passing important bills in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. "The country cannot bear so much loss because of one man's foolishness and one family,” he said, adding that too much parliamentary time had already been wasted.
Rijiju's remarks came after Delhi Police detained several INDIA bloc MPs, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, citing lack of permission for a protest march. The MPs were protesting against the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged "voter fraud".
'Will not allow any more wastage'
"During this monsoon session, the Congress and the Opposition have wasted a lot of time. We will not allow any more wastage. Even today, they sought time from the Election Commission, and the EC called 30 members, yet they did not go," Rijiju said.
The Union minister claimed several Opposition MPs had confided that they were forced by their leaders to create a ruckus. He said the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill, 2025, had been placed before the Lok Sabha for consideration and passage.
Rijiju attack opposition on EC invite
On the Opposition MPs invited by the Election Commission, Rijiju said that they could not even decide on a leader. "Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says everyone should go, but can the Election Commission seat so many people in one room? These people have no faith in Parliament or the Election Commission. Whose instructions are they following to tarnish the image? This is our final request, take part in the discussion,” he said.
Appealing to the Opposition to engage on bills and propose amendments if needed, Rijiju added, "I have never seen such an irresponsible Opposition. We have an accountability towards the nation, and they must understand theirs."
Stepping up his attack on the INDIA bloc, he alleged, "These people do not believe in the Constitution. One party, one family, or one person cannot dictate what is constitutional," adding that the opposition do not have any faith in democracy.