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PM Modi’s charge of Manmohan Singh colluding with Pak disrupts Parliament for fourth day

Published

9 years ago

December 20, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Disruptions continued to dog the Parliament on the fourth day of winter session, forcing Rajya Sabha to be adjourned for the day on Wednesday, Dec 20, while the Lok Sabha was adjourned temporarily and managed to conduct some business despite the ruckus.

The cause of the uproar was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh, accusing him of colluding with Pakistan to influence Gujarat polls. Dr Singh had made an uncharacteristically sharp rebuttal, accusing Modi of trying to win “political points” through “canards” and demanding that he apologise to the nation. Taking it up now, as expected, while the Congress is demanding an apology for the bizarre charge, the BJP government has made it clear that no apology would be tendered.

The loss of time comes when the winter session was already curtailed: it began on December 15 and will conclude on January 5 next year.

In Parliament on Wednesday, with the Question Hour on his office, PMO, the PM was present in Lok Sabha but no work could be conducted. As the Question Hour started, the Congress MPs trooped in the Well of the House, shouting “Dr sahab se maafi mango” (apologise to Dr Manmohan Singh). Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the proceedings of the House till noon.

In Rajya Sabha, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu’s repeated appeals for calm had no effect. Naidu’s statement did not help: “… Nobody is going to give apology. Nothing happened in the House. The statement was not made here.”

The Parliament has lost three days over the issue. On Tuesday, Naidu said he had met senior leaders from both sides to try and address the problem. He said he also met Dr Singh. There was an agreement that a joint committee will be formed to find a solution, according to media reports.

However, after a joint meeting between members of the government and the opposition on Tuesday, reports said an apology from Modi or his government was not likely. Reports said that the government clearly conveyed its decision during the meeting, in which Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar were present, that no apology will be issued for Modi’s accusation of treason, which he made on 11 December, without providing any evidence.

The meeting came after the Chairman of Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu asked the two sides to talk and resolve the issue.

Dr Manmohan Singh was also reported to have met Naidu to express anguish over Modi’s remarks. “Dr. Manmohan Singhji met me. He has expressed his concern, his feelings. I have talked to him and also understood what he meant. I have conveyed it to the right persons also,” Naidu said.

While the government has made it clear that an apology from Modi was ruled out, it had reportedly assured that either Jaitley, who is Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, or Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar would make a statement.

However, media reports quoting sources said that during the meeting between the Opposition and the government, Jaitley made it clear that he had a transcript of the Prime Minister’s speech and he did not speak out of line. Jaitley instead went on to accuse the Congress of using abusive terms for Modi.

“I think the PM’s stature will not be diminished if he clarifies and regrets because Manmohan Singh is also a member of the House. Why should he stand on falsehood? Either he should prove there was something wrong or he should take his words back to convey his regret to Singh,” deputy leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said.

In the Lok Sabha, while turning down the opposition demand in the Question Hour for a discussion on the issue, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said, “The elections are over and the results are out. I cannot allow you to raise the issue here.”

The House was adjourned amid noisy scenes. The protests continued in the Well of the House even in the Zero Hour, with Congress members trying to speak even when not granted permission.

As Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi looked on, party MPs took to addressing the Speaker from the Well one by one though they could not be heard. Meanwhile, the Zero Hour proceedings continued regardless with members from ruling BJP and other parties raising various issues.

Congress leader in the House Mallikarjuna Kharge read out from a written note from his seat despite being disallowed by the Speaker. The Congress walked out shortly thereafter.

It is usually seen as the government’s responsibility to ensure smooth functioning of the House. It may allow a discussion and get an issue done with instead of letting it stall the Parliament’s work. However, the government and the opposition refuse to relent from their respective stands, costing the Parliament valuable time that could be used for debates and discussions over the business to be transacted.

The blame for disruptions always falls on the opposition parties, although during the previous, UPA government’s time, the charge was that the government was ‘shying away from a debate’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:Lok Sabha Narendra Modi Rajya Sabha

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Assam BJP leader Bikash Dhar found dead, 5 arrested for murder

BJP leader Bikash Dhar, 52, was found dead in an abandoned house in Assam’s Sribhumi district after being reported missing on August 12. Police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged murder.

Published

4 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

A 52-year-old BJP leader who had been missing for two days was found dead in Assam’s Sribhumi district on Friday, with police alleging that he was murdered.

Bikash Dhar, a resident of Chagalmowa village under Bazaricherra police station, was found dead inside an abandoned house in the Yogicherra area near the Tripura border on Friday morning.

Dhar’s family had filed a missing complaint on August 12 after he left home following a phone call.

According to his son Madan Dhar, Bikash left around 1 pm after saying that he had to attend an emergency meeting. When he did not return and his phone was switched off, the family began searching for him and later approached the police.

Five arrested in murder case

Sribhumi Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said an investigation was launched after the missing complaint was received. The probe was conducted under the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime).

Police said five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder. They were identified as Abdul Salam, Sifat Ali, Abdul Ahad, Saiful Ali and Badrul Haque.

According to the police, interrogation of Abdul Salam revealed that the accused had an enmity with Dhar. Police alleged that the group killed him and dumped his body near a water body.

Another person, identified as Sunam Miya, was named during the investigation and reportedly fled to Tripura on the night of the incident.

Police find injury and cut marks on body

Police said injury and cut marks were found on Dhar’s body, and a murder case has been registered.

During the recovery of the alleged weapon, police said accused Badrul Haque attempted to escape from custody. A police constable was injured during the incident.

Police said they fired at Haque’s leg to prevent him from escaping, resulting in a bullet wound.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dhar’s death and the alleged involvement of the accused is underway.

India News

Karnataka Cabinet clears public property bill amid RSS registration row

Karnataka Cabinet approves a Bill to regulate the use of government premises and public property amid a political row over RSS registration.

Published

14 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a proposed law to regulate the use of government premises and public property in the state, amid an ongoing political debate over the registration and use of public spaces by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026 was cleared by the Cabinet, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said after the meeting.

According to the government, the proposed legislation aims to establish a legal framework governing the use of government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets by private individuals, organisations, associations and societies.

Kharge said the objective was to prevent unauthorised use and misuse of public property while ensuring that such assets are protected for public benefit.

What the Karnataka public property bill proposes

The proposed legislation is expected to lay down procedures for obtaining permission to use government property for events, meetings and other activities.

It also proposes provisions for penalties in cases involving misuse of government premises or damage to public property, according to officials.

The government is expected to introduce the Bill in the Karnataka legislature, where it will be taken up for discussion and passage.

Priyank Kharge denies Bill targets RSS

The proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of a row involving the RSS and its use of public property in Karnataka.

Kharge, however, rejected speculation that the Bill had been framed specifically against the RSS or any other organisation. He said the government did not have a particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO in mind.

The issue has been part of a wider political debate since 2025, with Kharge opposing the use of government premises and public property by the RSS and calling for the organisation to register formally.

In June, Kharge also wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking clarity on the organisation’s legal status, financial transparency and constitutional accountability.

The development is likely to keep the debate over the use of public property and the legal status of organisations in Karnataka in focus as the proposed legislation moves to the state legislature.

India News

BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi over PM Modi foreign policy jibe

BJP leaders criticised Rahul Gandhi after he mocked PM Modi’s foreign policy and staged a hug with Sandeep Dikshit during a Congress convention.

Published

14 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

The BJP has launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy.

Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said PM Modi’s approach to foreign policy was largely about hugging foreign leaders. He also referred to the BJP-RSS as a “bunch of jokers” and accused them of having no understanding of India.

While making his point about the Prime Minister’s public embraces with foreign leaders, Rahul Gandhi staged a hug with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage.

Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange with a remark, following which Rahul Gandhi played along.

BJP leaders hit back at Rahul Gandhi

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi asked Rahul Gandhi to “grow up”, saying that running the country required mature leadership rather than what he described as “amateur dramatics”.

“Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics,” Joshi said.

He accused the Congress leader of insulting the people of India by attacking the Prime Minister and criticised his reference to the democratically elected government as “jokers and clowns”.

Joshi also attacked Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of PM Modi’s political rise, saying the Prime Minister had not risen through family lineage or dynastic politics.

The minister further alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s language reflected frustration and said that insulting the Prime Minister amounted to insulting the people of India.

Giriraj Singh, Bansuri Swaraj criticise Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Giriraj Singh called Rahul Gandhi “mentally frustrated” and criticised his conduct.

He also appealed to Sonia Gandhi to intervene and ensure that Rahul Gandhi received “appropriate help”, saying the situation could become serious.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s language, saying it was contrary to the dignity expected from the constitutional position of the Leader of Opposition.

She said the country needed a Leader of Opposition who played the role of a “constructive opposition” rather than engaging in what she described as “cheap rhetoric for social media memes and reels”.

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called the exchange involving PM Modi and Giorgia Meloni a new low in public discourse.

He criticised what he described as vulgar jokes targeting the Prime Minister and the Italian leader and said the remarks were deeply disgraceful.