Rahul Gandhi’s ‘A1-A2’ comeback after Speaker stops him from naming industrialists

The Lok Sabha saw uproarious scenes on Monday as Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi made references to two industrialists during his speech.

As Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stopped him from making references to people who are not members of the House, the Raebareli MP found innovative ways to mention the industrialists without naming them.

Participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Union Budget, Rahul Gandhi made a reference to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, saying that a ‘chakravyuh’ has captured India which aims to strengthen the monopoly of big businesses, the framework of political monopoly and deep state.

“Thousands of years ago in Haryana, in Kurukshetra, six people killed a youth, Abhimanyu, in a ‘chakravyuh’. A ‘chakravyuh’ has violence and fear. Abhimanyu was trapped and killed in the ‘chakravyuh’,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi was referring to a chapter in Maharabharata where Abhimanyu was killed by Kauravas by deceitfully trapping him in a ‘chakravyuh’ — a multi-tiered maze and formation.

The Leader of Opposition claimed that six people are at the centre of this chakravyuh, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the two industrialists.

Speaker Om Birla objected to this, pointing out the rules which disallow making comments against people who are not members of the House.

“Many MPs from your party have also written to me to disallow any comments about people outside this House. It is expected from the Leader of Opposition to at least follow the rules,” Om Birla said.

Rahul Gandhi obliged, saying he wouldn’t name the industrialists during his speech.

However, Rahul Gandhi again spoke about the industrialists, alleging that all the nation’s wealth is being distributed between them. After the Speaker warned him again, Rahul Gandhi asked how he should address them.

“Should I call them number 3 and number 4?” he asked. “If you want us not to talk about them, it is not possible. Please suggest an alternate way to address them.”

Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the two industrialists are getting into all sectors and monopolising the nation’s wealth. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju intervened, saying, “The Leader of the Opposition is challenging the Speaker. He is not following the rules.”

Following a brief uproar, Rahul Gandhi continued, “Speaker sir, I understand that the Minister wants to save A1 or A2. He has received an order from above.”

“He is permitted to defend them. It’s a democracy,” he added.

Some remarks from Rahul Gandhi’s speech were later expunged.

Rahul Gandhi has consistently accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA government of crony capitalism, alleging that the Prime Minister is favouring select businesses.

PM Modi, on the other hand, has said that he firmly stands by the wealth creators of the country and that he is ready to face punishment if he has benefitted anyone in a dishonest manner.