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BJP demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi (File) The BJP is set to step up its attack on MP Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments on Indian democracy at Cambridge University. A party MP, Nishikant Dubey, has called for the formation of a special committee to investigate the statements by Mr. Gandhi, who, his party, is an insult to Parliament, democracy and the country's institutions. The committee, Dubey said, should help end Gandhi's membership in the Lok Sabha. Speaking of this, Dubey had drawn a parallel with the 2005 special commission, which investigated the parliamentary question money scam and canceled the membership of 11 MPs. The committee said it undermined the dignity of parliament and its decision was upheld by the Supreme Court, Dubey said.
Rahul Gandhi, he added, has continuously sullied the dignity of Parliament and the country with his statements in Europe and the United States, and therefore the time has come to "expel" him from Parliament.
Also last week, Dubey called for the termination of Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership while testifying before a parliamentary panel about his notice of privilege against the Congress leader, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing sources.
The MP had moved the privilege notice, following Mr. Gandhi's speech in the first part of the budget session, in which he commented on the Hindenburg-Adani issue.
Earlier in the day, eight Union ministers met Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament to discuss how to move the case against Gandhi forward.
Every morning for the past four days, a cabinet minister has led the attack on Mr. Gandhi in front of the media. Then it is the turn of the Union Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The BJP's demand for an apology and Congress's refusal to offer one was one of the main reasons for the deadlock in parliament in the second half of the budget session. Gandhi has repeatedly insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often attacked the country's achievements under Congress rule during his trips abroad.
Today, Rahul Gandhi said he "hoped" to be allowed to address the BJP's allegations in parliament. "But I don't think they'll let me talk," he said.
"If Indian democracy worked, I could say my part in parliament. What you see is proof of Indian democracy. If any MP is going to be given the same space that these four ministers were given when they brought charges against me," he said.
At Cambridge University, Gandhi said India's democracy was under pressure and opposition voices were drowned out. “The institutional framework necessary for democracy: parliament, press freedom and judiciary, just the idea of mobilizing and displacing everyone is becoming limited. Therefore, we are facing an attack on the basic fabric of Indian democracy," he added. He said.
