Congress facing a 'palace coup' says Jaitley; let them talk, says Sonia

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today alleged that Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was biased and was acting at the behest of the BJP-led NDA government. [caption id=“attachment_1652707” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. PTI[/caption] Storming into the Well of the House, Rahul led from the front, demanding a discussion on what he termed as rising communal violence incidents in the country. The three-time Amethi MP also demanded that the government take up the Communal Violence Bill, which lapsed after the 15th Lok Sabha failed to pass the legislation. Inside the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the Speaker’s behaviour saying her handling of the issue was “absolutely, absolutely unjust”. The BJP, quite obviously, defended the Speaker, saying she belonged to the House and was performing her duties as per the constitution. Terming the behaviour of Congress MPs as unfortunate and reeking of frustration, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley questioned whether a coup within the Congress was forcing its leaders to come out and protest. Here are some of the political reactions: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi: There is a sense in Parliament that this government is not conducive to discussion. That the voice of only one man counts for anything in this country. This is completely one sided partiality, you know. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan: If somebody has to level an allegation, then I cannot do anything. I am trying to do my work with integrity. You tell me what can I do about it? Finance Minister Arun Jaitley: Why has Congress made an issue of this non-issue? Reason is clear, a section of the party, unable to lead, is facing a palace coup. Congress President Sonia Gandhi: Let them (BJP) say what they want to say Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy: He could have asked other MPs, not appropriate for Rahul Gandhi to go to the well to protest BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi: Haar ke hangover ko utaarne ke liye inhe jhaad-phoonk karwani chahiye Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu: Won’t take anyone’s name, but I am sad at the way Congress is behaving in Lok Sabha Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut: Congress is a small party, MPs from small parties always come to the well (in Lok Sabha) protesting