congress leader Rahul Gandhi is firm on his statements done during His speech in the Lok Sabha on 7 Februaryin response to Allegations of breach of privilege of the House Which was raised by a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a Union Minister. It is strange that a Member of Parliament, whose duty it is to hold the executive accountable to Parliament, is being accused of breach of privilege of the House for seeking answers on important issues. Portions of Mr Gandhi’s speech, which referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relationship with industrialist Gautam Adani, delivered during the discussion on the ‘Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address’, were expunged from the records of the House. When a member’s own rights are being curtailed in the name of parliamentary privilege, the concept itself is being curtailed as a tool of the executive. Mr Gandhi raised pertinent questions regarding the political patronage enjoyed by the Adani group, which is in the eye of a storm after a short seller based in the United States brought to light suspicious patterns in the group’s transactions and ownership. The government has not given any answer. And from above the sword of privilege is being fired against the Leader of the Opposition. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are expected to protect the dignity of Parliament, especially in dealing with the other branches of the state, rather than disciplining the members.
Parliamentary debate on the Adani controversy, which was marred by undue restrictions on opposition leaders, follows a devious trend of executive power taking over the legislative branch, even in some states. Chief ministers of many states have supreme powers – they control their parties, dominate the opposition, and take legislatures for granted. Assembly meetings have reduced and debates have become shallow. The argument that populist leaders now make is that they are directly accountable to the people – Shri Modi also took the ‘blessings of 140 crore people’ Speaking in Parliament on 8 February, but raised a series of questions Hindenburg Report on Adani Group remained unanswered. The people want accountability from elected government through their elected representatives, and the legislature has the right to mediate that conversation. Mr. Gandhi asked questions as he should have. In doing so it is certainly tantamount to asking them to follow parliamentary norms. But more seriously, the government must respond to the allegations. it is sign of erosion of parliamentary authority That is not happening.
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