Congress Distances Itself From MP’s ‘Separate Country’ Remark, BJP Slams Kharge, Rahul Gandhi
In response to remarks made by Congress MP DK Suresh, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised the statement, emphasising the silence of party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday called for the resignation of Congress MP DK Suresh following his controversial statement about the "forced to demand a separate country". Prasad, addressing the issue said that Suresh has no right to continue as an MP, especially while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is engaged in the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' to unite the nation.
"He doesn't have the right to remain an MP even for a minute. While Rahul Gandhi is carrying out Bharat Jodo Yatra, his MP is talking of dividing India," Prasad said at a press conference.
#WATCH | On Congress MP DK Suresh's "separate country" remark, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "He doesn't have the right to remain an MP even for a minute. While Rahul Gandhi is carrying out Bharat Jodo Yatra, his MP is talking of dividing India." pic.twitter.com/7mX0LD7wAD
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2024
Cong MP D K Suresh speaking of breaking India, its leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge keeping mum: BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 2, 2024
Pushing back, the Congress distanced itself from the remarks, stating that it will not tolerate any statement calling for the country's disintegration.
"Whether someone says or not, I, Mallikarjun Kharge, will state that India is one from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and will remain one," the Congress president said in the Rajya Sabha, as Union Minister Piyush Goyal brought up the issue in the Upper House of Parliament.
The controversy arose when DK Suresh, Congress MP from Bengaluru, termed the recent Interim Budget as an "election budget" and alleged that southern states are not receiving their rightful share of GST and direct taxes. Suresh warned that if the situation persists, there may be a demand for a "separate country by the southern states".
Reacting to Suresh's statement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi raised the matter in the Lok Sabha, demanding an apology and action from Sonia Gandhi, asserting that Suresh's remarks violated his oath as an MP.
"I demand an apology and action from Sonia Gandhi. This is a violation of his oath (as an MP)...I urge that the matter be sent to the Ethics Committee. Congress should take action. If they don't the country will believe that you too are involved in 'tukde tukde' of the country," Joshi said.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on his brother DK Suresh's remark, said, "I always say that only Congress has kept this country united. There is no question of dividing this country".
#WATCH | On visit to Delhi to demand compensation from Centre for drought-hit taluks in the state, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "The protest with participation of all MLAs and corporators will be led by the CM. We will go to Delhi on 6th February, and on 7th February… pic.twitter.com/SqSqy0Ecco
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2024
Congress MP Manickam Tagore distanced the party from Suresh's remarks, stating that such statements are not acceptable, and the Congress party stands for the Idea of India.
"Congress Party has fought for the country's freedom and has sacrificed many things for the country that is well recognised by the people as well. Starting from Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Nehru, Sardar Patel. We are from that legacy. These kinds of statements from any of our friends are not acceptable."
PMs like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and CMs like Beant Singh and Hiteswar Saikia, all sacrificed their lives for the country's unity. These kinds of words are merely personal opinions, we don't authorise them. Congress stands for the Idea of India," Tagore told ANI.
#WATCH | On Congress MP DK Suresh's "...forced to demand a separate country" statement, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, "Congress Party has fought for the country's freedom and has sacrificed many things for the country that is well recognised by the people as well. Starting… https://t.co/p7tv8NZhLz pic.twitter.com/exv8xdGi2k
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge affirmed the party's commitment to national unity, declaring that the Congress would not tolerate any talk of breaking the country.
The controversy has sparked a debate within the political circles, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticising Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for raising the issue based on "unverified media reports", labeling it as an "unparliamentary act". Tharoor questioned the minister's use of parliamentary time for an issue unrelated to the house proceedings.
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