New Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, saying Parliament is not a “market” to debate press conferences.

Shah made the remarks during the debate on the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Mocking Gandhi, the home minister said the Congress leader had sought a debate in Parliament based on his recent press conference, which he said was not appropriate for the House.

“He suddenly had an idea to have a debate on his own press conference. This is not a market, this is the Lok Sabha. Topics for debate are formally decided here,” Shah said.

He also referred to the political lineage of Gandhi, mentioning past leaders from his family.

“From your great-grandfather to your grandmother to your father, there were tall leaders in India, but the Lok Sabha never had a debate on anyone’s press conference,” he said.

Shah added that allowing such a discussion would lower the standards of Parliament and said Birla’s decision not to permit the debate helped maintain the dignity of the House.

“If he expects that his ‘great press conference’, built on a foundation of lies, will be debated in the House, then Om Birla did a favour to the House by not letting its standards fall,” he said.

The home minister also criticised Gandhi’s attendance record in Parliament, citing figures from previous Lok Sabhas while responding to protests from opposition members.

“As opposition members protested, he said, ‘Suno, ab sun’na padega,’” before reading out attendance figures.

Shah said Gandhi’s attendance in the 17th Lok Sabha stood at 51 per cent compared with the national average of 66 per cent. In the 16th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 52 per cent against a national average of 80 per cent, while in the 15th Lok Sabha it was 43 per cent compared with the national average of 76 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha rejected the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla through a voice vote amid sloganeering by opposition members.

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Following the proceedings, the House was adjourned for the day and will reconvene at 11 am on Thursday.