Guwahati, Nov 4 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday sought to know why Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wanted to debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the streets and not in Parliament, maintaining that the house of elected representatives was the proper forum for such discussions.
Sarma also criticised Gandhi for offering a red rose to Modi in a Diwali greeting video, saying the flower was associated with Valentine’s Day and not the festival.
Hitting back at the chief minister, Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi alleged that Sarma was worried about the possibility of a Congress government at the Centre, as it would expose his alleged crimes and corruption.
A day after Gandhi posted a video challenging Modi to a debate in public on issues such as foreign policy and the country’s financial structure, Sarma responded with a video on social media, questioning why the Congress leader wanted to hold such a debate outside Parliament.
“At least, do you know that you are the leader of opposition? If you accept it, then will you debate with the prime minister on the streets or in Parliament?” Sarma asked.
He said Parliament was the appropriate forum for such a discussion, adding that Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would respond if Gandhi ensured a proper debate in the House.
The discussion could cover all issues, including foreign relations, the US deal, the Bofors case and the Bhopal gas tragedy, he said.
Questioning Gandhi’s call to take the debate to the streets, Sarma said, “This is no Bangladesh or Nepal.”
“You cannot remain the ‘angry young man’ forever. If you want to be a good politician, take my free advice. Debate peacefully in Parliament and people will listen. Amit Shah will reply, even Modi ji may intervene. We want debate in Parliament,” he said.
Sarma also accused Gandhi of questioning election results when the BJP wins while accepting the verdict when the Congress emerges victorious.
On Gandhi’s red rose greeting to Modi, the chief minister said, “Rose is given on Valentine’s Day, not Diwali. Do give a rose to someone on Valentine’s Day next time, not on Diwali.”
In a social media post, Gogoi accused Sarma of fearing legal action for his “crimes and corruption” if the Congress comes to power at the Centre.
“Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma is losing sleep imagining a Congress government at the Centre. The long list of crimes that he has buried will be uncovered and put in the public domain. He knows that he will end up in jail for his crimes and corruption,” Gogoi said.
(PTI News)
