The Aryavarth Express New Delhi, February 12: The Centre is unlikely to move a privilege motion against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his recent speech in the House, though portions of his remarks may be expunged for being unauthenticated, sources said on Thursday.
The development comes a day after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that BJP members intended to move a privilege notice against Gandhi for allegedly misleading the House and making baseless statements.
Rijiju had said that Gandhi made serious allegations against the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi without following due procedure. “We are going to file a privilege notice against Rahul Gandhi for misleading the House and making baseless statements. There are clear rules of procedure in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. When a member intends to make serious charges against another member, notice must be given and the allegations substantiated,” he said.
He further added that Gandhi had made “false and baseless” claims, including alleging that the Prime Minister had compromised national interests. Rijiju also objected to allegations made against Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, stating that no prior notice had been given.
During his speech on Wednesday, Gandhi questioned why industrialist Anil Ambani was not in jail and alleged that his name had appeared in documents related to the Epstein case. He also claimed there was pressure on Prime Minister Modi concerning the India–US nuclear deal and raised concerns over issues related to data, farmers, energy security, and defence.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said he was prepared to authenticate the data he cited. “There are Department of Justice files on the Epstein case naming Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani. In an ongoing case against Adani, summons have been issued. The Government of India has not responded for the last 18 months. There is direct pressure on the Prime Minister,” he alleged.
He further stated that “no Prime Minister would take such decisions in a normal situation” and suggested that the actions taken indicated external pressure.
Sources indicated that while a formal privilege motion may not be pursued, the Chair could expunge portions of the speech that are deemed unverified or in violation of parliamentary rules.
