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Opposition leaders hit back at Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for saying that Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into politics showed that Congress President Rahul Gandhi couldn’t handle it alone.
Various opposition leaders reminded Mahajan on Friday that she cannot make “political” and “impartial” comments while holding the office of the Lok Sabha speaker.
Sumitra Mahajan’s Remark Sparks Controversy
Mahajan made the remark after the Congress party announced on Wednesday, 23 January, that Priyanka will be the party’s general secretary in East Uttar Pradesh. The Lok Sabha Speaker had told news agency PTI:
“Priyanka is a good woman. But her appointment also shows Rahul has understood that he cannot do politics alone, so he asked his sister Priyanka to help him.”Sumitra Mahajan told reporters in Indore, reported by PTI
The veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who represents Indore in the lower house of Parliament since 1989, further said that talented people must be given an opportunity to come forward.
"I don't want to get into the family politics of the Congress, it's their own matter. But I would definitely say that a person who has leadership capabilities should be given an opportunity to come forward," she had said.
People Expect The Speaker To Be ‘Impartial’
On Friday, 25 January, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Mahajan for making political comments while holding an “impartial” office.
“Sumitra Mahajan is a Speaker and people expect her to be impartial and non-political. She should not talk about politics. When you malign someone, you too have to face the brunt of it. I want to request her that as a Speaker, she should not make political comments. Otherwise, she too will come under criticism.”Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Leader, as told to ANI
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also tweeted on Friday: “Ma’am you are the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Can you save the cheap shots for when you no longer occupy that high office (sic).”
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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