Bharatiya Janata Party MP Dilip Saikia on Monday strongly criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately disrupting parliamentary proceedings and misleading the public on sensitive national security issues. The remarks were made while reacting from Guwahati, Assam’s political and media hub.
Saikia was responding to Gandhi’s intervention during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day. He said the issues raised by the Congress leader had no relevance to the constitutional address and unnecessarily diverted the debate.
BJP MP Dilip Saikia criticised Rahul Gandhi over his remarks during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, accusing him of disrupting Parliament and misleading the public on national security. Speaking from Guwahati, Saikia said the opposition leader raised unrelated issues that diverted attention from constitutional matters.
Reaction from Guwahati
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Saikia said, “The issues raised by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi are completely unrelated to the President’s address. He is deliberately trying to mislead the people of the country and create confusion.”
He added that Parliament is a forum for serious and responsible debate, especially on matters of national importance, and accused Gandhi of politicising sensitive issues.
National Security Concerns Raised
The BJP MP alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s comments were irresponsible and risked undermining public trust in the armed forces. According to Saikia, statements by senior opposition leaders on national security must be measured and based on verified information, particularly at a time when unity is essential.
From a Guwahati perspective, Saikia said people in Assam closely follow parliamentary debates, and misleading statements can have wider implications beyond New Delhi.
Parliament Disruption Over Unpublished Book
Saikia’s remarks came after heated scenes in the Lok Sabha, when proceedings were disrupted following Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to quote from an unpublished book by former Army Chief Manoj Naravane while speaking on the President’s Address.
As Gandhi began reading excerpts, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected, questioning the credibility of citing an unpublished source in Parliament. He said a book that has not been published cannot be quoted on the floor of the House.
Home Minister Amit Shah also raised objections, stating that unauthenticated material, including unpublished books or magazine articles, cannot be cited during parliamentary proceedings.
Assam BJP’s Stand
Assam BJP leaders said Saikia’s comments reflect the party’s position that parliamentary decorum must be maintained. They emphasised that debates linked to the President’s Address should focus on constitutional priorities rather than personal or unverified claims.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
As Assam’s political centre, Guwahati often becomes the platform where national political developments are interpreted for regional audiences. Statements by Assam MPs on parliamentary issues shape public discourse in the state.
What Happens Next
Parliamentary proceedings on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address are expected to continue, with ruling and opposition parties likely to maintain sharp exchanges over the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why did Dilip Saikia criticise Rahul Gandhi?
Saikia accused Rahul Gandhi of raising unrelated issues during the President’s Address debate and of misleading the public on national security matters.
Q2. What triggered the disruption in Parliament?
The disruption occurred after Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from an unpublished book by former Army Chief Manoj Naravane, which was objected to by senior ministers.
