BJP's 'two gentlemen' will lock down Parliament if they have their way: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday claimed the ruckus in Rajya Sabha started because the government "went back on its word" and tried to pass legislation by "stealth".
The veteran Congress leader said that the chair in both Houses not as neutral as it should be.
"The chair, I am afraid, and I am sorry to say this, did not play a neutral role and therefore there was pandemonium in Parliament, but the starting point of the pandemonium was the government's attempt to pass legislation by stealth," Chidambaram told news agency PTI.
Chidambaram alleged that the "two-man army" BJP government has "scant respect" for Parliament and if the "two gentlemen have their way, they will lock down Parliament".
The opposition and the Narendra Modi government on Thursday exchanged heated words, blaming each other for the pushing and shoving between opposition MPs and Parliament security staff during the passage of the general insurance bill on Wednesday.
The Centre fielded seven ministers and demanded that a high-level committee should review videos of the chaotic proceedings in the Rajya Sabha and take strong action against those MPs who had indulged in “violence”.
The ministers also said opposition allegations that marshals and “outsiders” had assaulted MPs were “baseless and false” .
Speaking about the alleged snooping row, Chidambaram said, "the government runs for cover moment word Pegasus is uttered," adding that Supreme Court is the only hope.
He further asserted that he is absolutely certain the difficulties in forging Opposition unity to take on the BJP in 2024 general elections shall be overcome and it will be a reality well before the polls.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is likely to chair a meeting of opposition leaders on August 20. The meeting is expected to be virtual, during which the leaders, including NCP president Sharad Pawar and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, will join a brainstorming session to discuss the issue of strengthening opposition unity and the agenda going ahead.
(With PTI inputs)