The Parliament complex witnessed high drama on Wednesday as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu engaged in a sharp verbal exchange. The incident took place near the Makar Dwar, where Congress MPs were staged in protest against government policies. A video of the confrontation has surfaced, showing both leaders trading personal barbs in full view of other lawmakers and security personnel.
Details of the Verbal Confrontation
According to reports, the incident began when Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu was passing by the group of protesting Congress MPs, while rahul Gandhi, pointing towards Bittu, remarked, Look, a traitor is passing by. Look at his face. Gandhi then offered a handshake while mockingly stating, Namaste brother, my traitor friend, while don't worry, you will come back to Congress. The comments were directed at Bittu's previous association with the Congress party before his defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ravneet Bittu's Counter-Attack
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu reacted strongly to the provocation, refusing to shake hands with the Leader of the Opposition. Bittu retaliated by addressing Rahul Gandhi as an enemy of the country. He stated that he maintains no relations with individuals he perceives to be working against national interests. The exchange remained heated for several minutes as both leaders stood their ground before eventually moving away. Bittu, formerly a senior Punjab Congress leader, has been a frequent target of opposition criticism since joining the Union Cabinet.
Context of Congress Protests and Suspensions
The confrontation occurred amidst ongoing protests by Congress and other opposition members on the steps of Parliament. The MPs were demonstrating against the India-US trade agreement, carrying posters alleging that the Prime Minister had compromised national interests. This protest followed the suspension of eight opposition members, including seven from Congress and one from CPI-M, for the remainder of the Budget session due to alleged unruly behavior, while the suspended MPs, including Gurjeet Singh Aujla and Manickam Tagore, were part of the demonstration when the spat occurred.
Observations by Political Analysts
According to political analysts, the friction between Gandhi and Bittu highlights the deep-seated resentment within the Congress party regarding Bittu's departure. As a former prominent face of the Congress in Punjab, his move to the BJP was seen as a significant political shift. Analysts suggest that such public displays of animosity in the Parliament complex reflect the intensifying personal and ideological divide between the treasury and opposition benches, signaling a challenging environment for bipartisan cooperation in the current session.