BJP hits back at Congress, says 'It's anti-national to not discuss COVID in Parliament'

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday hit out at the Opposition parties for creating ruckus in the Lok Sabha, throwing papers at the Chair and said they have shamed the world's largest democracy and damaged the dignity of the Parliament. The session was adjourned multiple times amid the protest by Opposition members over the "manufactured" Pegasus scandal and farmers' issues. The ruling party claimed that it was "anti-national" not to discuss the pandemic in both the House, asserting that preventing a possible third wave is the biggest issue now.  

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the Opposition was united in demanding a discussion on the Pegasus scandal,  in the Parliament, which he called 'anti-national'. Reacting on the same, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back and said that what is "anti-national" is elected representatives not discussing an issue that has impacted the country and the world. He further said, "Anyone who tries to prevent such a debate is striking a blow to the country… It is anti-national to not discuss the issue on the floor of Parliament."

Patra further said the biggest issue now is how to prevent the third wave of the virus and claimed that the Pegasus row is a "manufactured" issue to stall the Parliament. 
Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader said if Gandhi thinks that his mobile was targeted by the Pegasus spyware, then he should go to a police station and lodge a complaint.

Accusing the opposition parties of "suppressing" people's voice, the spokesperson said they had been demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic but have been now stalling it when a regular session has begun. Be it the Congress, Shiv Sena or the Samajwadi Party, their intention is not India's development but to save their family interests, he alleged.

Highlighting unity among the Opposition parties, the BJP said they were united earlier too and the main motivation of these parties, from the Congress to several regional ones, was to protect their "family interests". It further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains committed to the nation's development. 

• BJP
• Congress
• Monsoon Session
• Sambit Patra
• Rahul Gandhi