New Delhi

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday criticised the functioning of the Lok Sabha amid continued disruptions, saying democracy is weakened when the Leader of the Opposition is not allowed to present his views in the House.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka described it as “absurd” that Rahul Gandhi had not been permitted to speak even briefly despite repeated assurances.

“It is deeply unfortunate that we enter the House only to walk out without any discussion. The Leader of the Opposition has not been allowed to speak for even a minute. This is ridiculous and goes against democratic principles. If he cannot speak, what is the purpose of Parliament?” she said.

Her remarks came after the Lok Sabha was adjourned multiple times following Opposition protests over Rahul Gandhi being denied the floor.

Rahul Gandhi told the House that the Speaker had earlier assured him he would be allowed to raise his points before the budget discussion began.

“A Member had approached the Speaker an hour ago, and the Speaker assured us that I would be allowed to speak. Now that assurance is being withdrawn. I want clarity on whether I will be allowed to speak or not,” he said during the proceedings.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, meanwhile, accused Opposition members of deliberately disrupting House proceedings.

Priyanka Gandhi also took strong exception to remarks attributed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in which he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid the House citing information about a possible “unprecedented incident” involving Congress MPs.

Defending her party colleagues, Priyanka said the allegation against women MPs was baseless and unfair.

“The women MPs cannot and would never raise their hands against the Prime Minister. There are 11 Congress women MPs, including myself, and all of us conduct ourselves with seriousness and dignity. This statement is entirely wrong and appears to have been made under pressure,” she said.

Earlier in the day, women MPs from the Congress wrote to Speaker Om Birla, alleging that the ruling party had compelled him to make “false, unfounded and defamatory” remarks against them.

In their letter, the MPs said their protests were peaceful and within parliamentary norms, but they were being unfairly targeted. They also claimed that during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Rahul Gandhi was repeatedly denied the opportunity to speak for four consecutive days, while a BJP MP was allowed to make allegedly offensive remarks about former Prime Ministers.

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The Congress MPs further alleged that when they sought action against the BJP member, the Speaker initially acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but later said he was awaiting the government’s response, raising concerns about the independence of the Chair.