New Delhi

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on Wednesday criticised Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the Lok Sabha, saying he should be mindful of the limits of language and decorum in a parliamentary democracy.

Speaking to ANI, Pal said Gandhi, as the Leader of the Opposition, must exercise restraint in both words and conduct. “He is the Leader of the Opposition and should be aware of the limits of his words and language. Is it appropriate to speak in this manner in a parliamentary democracy?” he asked.

Pal said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly responded to Gandhi’s remarks in the House by referring to policy decisions taken during the Congress-led UPA government. He said Sitharaman highlighted the 2013 World Trade Organisation agreement, which, according to her, had implications for farmers and the public distribution system, including free rations.

He added that Sitharaman pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reversed that decision in 2017. She also referred to decisions taken by the UPA government at the Sharm El Sheikh summit, questioning whether those amounted to compromising national interests.

Pal asserted that while the opposition is free to criticise the government, the manner and substance of the allegations were misleading. “He can criticise the government as much as he wants, but the way these accusations are being made is misleading the country,” he said.

He further said that India’s economic progress under the Modi government is evident globally, noting that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has risen from the 11th to the fourth-largest economy in the world.

On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi questioned why industrialist Anil Ambani was not in jail, alleging that his name appeared in documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Gandhi also claimed there was pressure on Prime Minister Modi in relation to the India-US nuclear deal and alleged compromises on issues concerning data, farmers, energy security and defence.

“I have said that I will authenticate the data I have. There are US Department of Justice files related to the Epstein case naming Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani. In the Adani matter, summons have been issued, but the government of India has not responded for the last 18 months,” Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament.

He alleged that such decisions would not be taken under normal circumstances and suggested there was “pressure” on the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said BJP members in the Lok Sabha would move a privilege notice against Gandhi for allegedly misleading the House and making baseless statements.

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Rijiju said the Leader of the Opposition had made false and unfounded allegations against the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.