CPI(M) MP terms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s presence at Speaker’s tea party unfortunate

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader John Brittas hit out at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for attending the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, which was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Mr. Brittas said, “Hours after MGNREGA—a legislation that benefits crores of Indian workers—was dismantled in Parliament, it is unfortunate that some Congress leaders chose to attend a customary tea party.” 

Past boycotts

He cited at least four instances when the Opposition boycotted such gatherings to register their protest, including last year’s Winter Session, when the Opposition skipped the tea party to protest Home Minister Amit Shah’s alleged insulting remarks against BR Ambedkar. 

“What message are they sending to India’s poor by hailing the Prime Minister’s foreign tours and exchanging compliments after Mahatma Gandhi was killed for the second time over (referring to the change of MGNREGA nomenclature),” he said. The Opposition criticised the government for not only dismantling MGNREGA, upending its demand-driven architecture, but also removing the “Mahatma Gandhi” prefix. The Parliament on Thursday passed Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G). 

Mr. Brittas said that even Congress leaders were discomfitted by such a spectacle. He also underlined that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds no formal position in the Congress Parliamentary Party structure; the others who hold positions—such as its leader and deputy leader—were not present. 

He further alleged that the government is preparing grounds for replacing Mahatma Gandhi’s image from the currency notes. When pointed out that there was no formal call for a boycott from the INDIA block, he said, “Several leaders skipped the meeting. Did you see any DMK or TMC leader there?”   

He also underlined, that Ms. Vadra did not raise any issues concerning her constituency Wayanad.