Bengaluru, Aug 22 (Represenative) BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya has alleged that the Gandhi family is not allowing AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, to function independently. Lahar Singh said it is sad to see a tall and experienced leader like Kharge being advised by an inexperienced Rahul Gandhi. Singh said he never expected a tall leader like Kharge to yield to the diktats of Junior MPs like KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Surjewala. The MP was addressing a press meet in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Like former AICC President Nijalingappa, Kharge should act independently against any pressure from the family. Singh said Gandhi family tried to override another stalwart politician from Karnataka, former Prime Minister HD Devegowda, but he stood firm and refused to act as per the Gandhi family whims. Gandhi family has always shown bias against senior leaders from Karnataka, the MP said.
The BJP leader said it was sad to see a tall leader like Kharge allowing Rahul Gandhi to dictate and skipping the inauguration of the new Parliament, allowing his party MPs to needlessly disrupt the Parliament and his party MPs in Lok Sabha walking out even before the PM concluded his speech on the No Confidence Motion. “Kharge gave false excuses for not attending the Independence Day celebrations. Is the nation not more important than the party or the family, the MP asked. Kharge ji couldn’t even appoint a political secretary and could conduct an executive committee only now,” Singh said. He urged Kharge to take a firm stand and work for the nation as Party President and opposition leader and not for one family. Highlighting the NDA Government’s achievements, Singh said the Monsoon Session of Parliament was a successful and effective session. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several bills were passed in the public interest, and the misleading propaganda of the opposition alliance was rejected.
Despite the constant disruptions and ruckus created by the Opposition parties, the session saw the introduction of 25 Government Bills, in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. 23 Bills saw passage in both houses, while seven Bills have been notified in the Gazette of India, as of 11th August 2023, he said. Singh who is also a member of the parliamentary standing committee on IT and Communications said he was privileged to be in the IT panel and have seen the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill pass through various stages of discussion. This Act is India’s first comprehensive law on the protection of personal data, he said. Criticising opposition parties for disruptions and misrepresentation of facts on the floor of the House, Singh expressed his anguish against opposition parties for constantly trying to bulldoze the business of both houses by creating ruckus, leading to the houses being adjourned numerous times during the session.