‘The dictator is scared’: Congress alleges bias on Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha speech telecast
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi speaks on the Motion of No-Confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on August 9. (Credit: PTI Photo)
Rahul Gandhi launched a vitriolic attack on the Centre during his speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, calling the government “deshdrohi” for killing “Bharat Mata in Manipur”.
New Delhi: Congress has alleged the live telecast of Rahul Gandhi’s 15-minute, 42-second-long speech on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday showed Speaker Om Birla for over 11 minutes while the Congress leader was shown for just four minutes.
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party claimed “The dictator is scared… Rahul Gandhi spoke for 15 minutes, 42 seconds but Sansad TV showed Speaker Om Birla for 11 minutes and 8 seconds while Rahul appeared for only 4 minutes.
Sansad TV is a state-run channel and the sole telecast partner of the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
तानाशाह कितना डरपोक है… समझिए 👇
राहुल गांधी जी सदन में मणिपुर पर 15 मिनट 42 सेकंड बोले।
इस दौरान @sansad_tv पर 11 मिनट 08 सेकंड तक स्पीकर ओम बिरला जी को दिखाया गया।
राहुल जी को सिर्फ 4 मिनट दिखाया गया।
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 9, 2023
Speaking for the first time in the Lok Sabha since his membership was restored, Rahul Gandhi tore into the Modi government over the Manipur violence, saying “You have killed Bharat Mata in Manipur. Until the time you are not stopping the violence in Manipur, you are killing my (bharat) mata in Manipur. You are a traitor.”
Gandhi’s remarks drew objections from NDA members in the House while he continued to attack the government over Manipur and alleging they are trying now to set Haryana on fire.
LIVE: Shri @RahulGandhi speaks on no-confidence motion against Modi govt in Lok Sabha. https://t.co/QC5JFvrqs7
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 9, 2023
Rahul Gandhi quotes Ramayana
During his speech, the Wayanad MP invoked the Hindu epic in attacking the Centre, saying it was Ravan’s arrogance which killed him.
“Like Ravan listened to only Meghnad and Kumbhakaran, Modiji also listens to Amit Shah and Adani. Lanka wasn’t burned by Hanuman, it was due to Ravan’s arrogance. Ram did not kill Ravan, Ravan was killed because of his arrogance,” he said.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi’s alleged ‘flying kiss’ kicks up row in Lok Sabha
War of words during the no-confidence debate
The Parliament is witnessing a heated political slugfest between the Centre and the Opposition during the discussion on the no-confidence motion against the ruling BJP-led regime over the Manipur violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the debate on Thursday.
Manipur ethnic violence and the video row
The ethnic violence which has rocked the ongoing monsoon session began on May 3 triggered by clashes during a pro-tribal march against the Meitei community’s demand to be granted the Scheduled Tribes (ST) status.
The violence has left over a hundred people dead and thousands displaced. A video shot in Kangpokpi district on May 4 showed two tribal women paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob of men surfaced last month. It sent shockwaves across the country as it highlighted the extent of brutality people in the northeastern state are facing.