Source HT
NEW DELHI – In a sharp rebuke following the recent legislative deadlock in the Lok Sabha, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of prioritizing political rivalry over pressing national concerns.
The critique follows a high-stakes session where a key government bill failed to pass the Lok Sabha test. Kharge pointed to the Prime Minister’s subsequent address as evidence of a “skewed” vision for the country.
Key Takeaways from Kharge’s Statement
The Numbers Game: Kharge highlighted a stark contrast in the Prime Minister’s rhetoric, noting that the PM mentioned the “Congress” party 59 times, while mentions of women and their specific socio-economic challenges were virtually non-existent.
Neglect of the Bill: The Congress President argued that instead of addressing why the legislation failed or offering a path forward, the PM used the floor of the House as a campaign stage.
Accountability Gap: Kharge suggested that the government is more interested in “blame-shifting” than in the actual governance required to pass meaningful reform.
“Politics Over Progress”
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Kharge expressed his disappointment in what he termed a missed opportunity for national dialogue.
“The Prime Minister’s speech was a testament to his obsession with the Congress party. When the country wanted to hear about solutions for women’s safety and empowerment, they got a history lesson in political grievances. You cannot run a democracy by looking in the rearview mirror.”
Legislative Fallout
The failure of the bill has triggered a fresh wave of vitriol between the treasury and opposition benches. While the government blames “obstructionist tactics” for the defeat, the Opposition maintains that the bill was fundamentally flawed and lacked the necessary consensus.
Kharge’s remarks signal a hardening of the Congress party’s stance as both sides gear up for the next phase of the parliamentary session. Analysts suggest that this focus on “women vs. wordplay” will likely become a central theme in the upcoming electoral cycle.
What’s Next?
With the Lok Sabha adjourned briefly following the heated exchange, all eyes are on the government to see if they will reintroduce a modified version of the bill or continue the offensive against the Opposition in the public square.
