New Delhi [India], December 19 : Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday accused Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, of behaving like a 'goon' and intentionally causing a disruption during the BJP MPs' protest at Makar Dwar of Parliament leading to a scuffle between the ruling alliance and the opposition.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Chouhan also criticized Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi following their press conference, claiming that their actions showed a lack of accountability and respect.
Speaking about the incident, Chouhan claimed that security personnel had asked Rahul Gandhi to take a different route to avoid disrupting the BJP MPs' protest at Makar Dwar. However, he claimed that Rahul Gandhi insisted on entering through the main area, deliberately creating a disturbance and disregarding the security protocols.
"Congress President Kharge and Rahul Gandhi held a press conference here just a while ago. We were expecting him to seek forgiveness for the actions they committed in Parliament, but instead, their arrogance was on full display. Today, my mind is upset and heavy with pain. I have been a member of both the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha many times, and I have seen the conduct and behaviour of the MPs and MLAs. What I saw in the Parliament today was unimaginable -- behaviour full of arrogance, arrogance and hooliganism," Chouhan said.
He further said, "MPs from any party have the right to protest on any issue. Congress has also been staging protests for the past few days. While they were protesting at Makar Dwar, we (the ruling alliance) used to enter the Parliament from the other entry. However, today when BJP MPs were protesting in Makar Dwar, Rahul Gandhi deliberately tried entering from the gate where the BJP MPs were protesting, even after security intervention," said Chouhan.
Chouhan further alleged that Rahul Gandhi's actions in Parliament went beyond disruption and escalated into violence. He claimed that BJP MP Pratap Sarangi had fallen and suffered a head injury, while MP Mukesh Rajput had lost consciousness and required an MRI after the altercation.
"Rahul Gandhi behaved like a goon. He started pushing there. Our elderly MP Pratap Sarangi fell and he was seriously injured on the head. He was admitted to the ICU and he is still under treatment. He was unconscious. His NRI scan is being done. Will physical power be used in the Parliament instead of logic? On whatever our Adivasi MP Phangnon Konyak, we are full of pain at what she mentioned. She has complained to the Speaker of the Rajya Sabha. She was treated inappropriately. The Speaker said that she approached him while crying," said Chouhan.
He added, "Our MPs have lodged a police complaint, and the BJP will take all necessary legal action."
Meanwhile, accusing the BJP of being "anti-Ambedkar and anti-Constitution," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that BJP MPs tried to stop them while they were trying to enter Parliament premises after their protest and claimed that the ruling party is using such tactics to divert attention from the Adani issue and Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks pertaining to BR Ambedkar.
Addressing a joint press conference with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, accused the ruling party MPs of deliberately obstructing the Opposition's efforts to raise issues in Parliament.
BJP-led NDA and INDIA bloc MPs had staged a protest in Parliament premises and there was a face-off in which BJP leaders said two MPs were injured.
BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi alleged that he was hurt after a push from Rahul Gandhi.
Sarangi claimed that he was standing on stairs when another member of Parliament fell on him, leading to an injury on his head.
Both the MPs were admitted to Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier said he was trying to get inside the Parliament when he was also pushed and threatened by the BJP MPs who were protesting near the entrance. He alleged that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was also pushed.
"This might be on your camera. I was trying to go inside through the Parliament entrance, but BJP MPs were trying to stop me, push me and threaten me. This has happened...Yes, this has happened (Mallikarjun Kharge being pushed)," Gandhi told reporters.