New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani delivered a robust response today to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statements during the no-confidence motion debate in the Lok Sabha against the NDA government. Irani firmly refuted Gandhi’s claims and engaged in a spirited exchange, asserting the values that she believes define India.
Irani countered Gandhi’s remarks with a resounding statement, asserting, “You are not India, for India is not corrupt. You are not India because you define corruption and dynastic politics. India upholds merit, not dynasty. On this day, of all days, individuals like you need to recall the words directed at the British – ‘Quit India.’ Corruption, Quit India. Dynasty, Quit India. Merit has now taken root in India.”
In response to Gandhi’s assertion about the situation in Manipur, where he mentioned ‘Bharat Mata ki hatya aapne Manipur mein ki’ (You killed Bharat Mata in Manipur), Irani provided a sharp rejoinder, stating, “Those who discuss the killing of Bharat Maa never hesitate to occupy seats. Congress leaders have been seated and applauded when speaking about the ‘death of Mother India’…”
Addressing Gandhi’s claims that Manipur has been divided, Irani firmly emphasised, “Manipur is an indivisible part of India. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have consistently affirmed the government’s readiness to engage in discussions on the Manipur issue. It was the opposition that shied away, not us.”
Gandhi, who delivered his address as the first speaker during the resumed no-confidence motion debate, also made veiled references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani-Hindenburg row. Irani responded, acknowledging Gandhi’s presence as a member of the Lok Sabha following his reinstatement and firmly stating that her speech would focus on substantive matters beyond the Adani issue.
Last week, the Supreme Court stayed Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a criminal defamation case related to his remark about Modi’s surname. Following this, he was reinstated as a member of the Lok Sabha. The debate on the no-confidence motion commenced in the Lok Sabha from Tuesday.
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