'Come to Parliament': Ashwini Vaishnaw Dares Opposition to Debate
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw dares the Opposition to stop social media posts and debate key issues inside the Parliament.
In a stinging critique of the Opposition's strategy, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has issued a direct challenge to those calling for debates, urging them to leave social media behind and step into the "appropriate forum"—the Parliament. The Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT made these remarks during the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
'We Aren't Scared of You'
Taking a veiled swipe at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Vaishnaw emphasized that the government is ready to face any scrutiny within the hallowed halls of the House. He asserted that the government does not fear a confrontation on any subject.
"Come to the Parliament, we will debate on whatever topic you want. Come on, let's go at it; we aren't scared of you," Vaishnaw declared, insisting that public trust is fostered through formal parliamentary discourse rather than digital platforms.
Global Stature and Internal Security
The Union Minister highlighted the shift in India's global positioning under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming the nation now engages with other countries on equal terms and is capable of taking the fight directly to its adversaries.
Turning to domestic security, Vaishnaw praised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for dismantling Naxalism, which he described as a force that pitted citizens against one another. He further reaffirmed the government's commitment to eradicating the drug menace across the entire country, specifically mentioning Punjab.
The EVM Row and 'Family' Politics
Vaishnaw launched a scathing attack on the Congress party's recent criticisms of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that the very party now questioning EVMs was responsible for introducing them.
- Ballot Box Era: He recalled the days before EVMs, alleging that ballot boxes were often stuffed after 5 PM.
- Institutional Respect: He contrasted current rhetoric with the conduct of BJP stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, who never attacked institutions during their 50 years in the opposition.
- The 'Bad Workman' Analogy: Referring to election results in Kerala, he described the Congress's complaints as a case of a "bad workman quarrelling with his tools," attributing the party's decline to the blind following of a single family.
Rajasthan CM Joins the Fray
Adding to the offensive, the Rajasthan Chief Minister questioned the Congress party's understanding of democracy, citing their history of toppling governments. He predicted that the party would eventually become a "laughingstock" before the nation.
The Chief Minister mocked the Congress for its frequent accusations against the CBI, ED, and the Election Commission, using an analogy of someone claiming a "big fish" before even entering the water. He contrasted this with his own administration and Prime Minister Modi's approach of regularly presenting a "report card" of work and performance to the public.
The event began with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma welcoming Union Minister Vaishnaw at his residence, where the two leaders held discussions regarding key development projects and schemes currently being implemented in Rajasthan.