Uproar in Lok Sabha as Rahul Gandhi stopped from naming Adani, Ambani in speech

New Delhi, NT Bureau: The Lok Sabha saw a dramatic exchange between the opposition and the treasury benches on Monday during the discussion on the Union budget as leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped repeatedly from taking the names of businessmen Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani during his speech, while Sansad TV and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla did not let him show the photograph of Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman from the budget’s halwa ceremony, reports The Wire.

In the past too, Gandhi’s references to both Ambani and Adani were expunged from parliamentary records. In his speech, Gandhi drew a reference to the Mahabharat legend where Abhimanyu was killed in a chakravyuh, in which he was trapped and said that it was also known as a padmavyuh (lotus, the symbol of th eBJP).

“In the 21st century, there is a new chakravyuh and that symbol is worn by the prime minister on his chest. What was done with Abhimanyu is being done with youth, women, farmers and MSMEs.”

Gandhi said that while there are thousands in a chakravyuh, it is controlled by six people. “This chakravyuh is also controlled by six people; Modi, Shah, Mohan Bhagwat, Ajit Doval and Adani and Ambani,” he said.

This led to strong protests from the treasury benches, and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said that deputy leader of Congress Gaurav Gogoi had given it in writing that those who are not members of the House will not be mentioned.

“If you want I will take out the names of NSA, Ambani and Adani,” said Gandhi as he continued his speech. Gandhi said that while the middle class had earlier given their support to Modi, the Union budget had stabbed them both in the back and the chest, and once again referred to Adani and Ambani.

“You want India to remain in small boxes and the poor people of the country cannot dream. Only Adani and Ambani…,” he said.