'If I Am Not Useful Here…': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury As Rahul, Kharge Skip Flag Hoisting Event At New Parliament Building

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday hoisted the flag atop the "Gaja Dwar" of the new Parliament building ahead of the special session.

Congress LoMP

Source : PTI File Photo

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday skipped the flag hoisting event at the new Parliament building in the national capital ahead of the special session convened by the Centre. Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday hoisted the flag atop the "Gaja Dwar" of the new Parliament building ahead of the special session that is set to take place from September 18 to 22 and may see parliamentary proceedings shift from the old to the adjacent new building.

When asked about the same from Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who was present at the event, the Lok Sabha MP said, "If I am not useful here, tell me I will leave.” 

“Concentrate on those who are present here... I am here, does it not suffice the media people,” he added. 

#WATCH | On Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi's absence from the hoisting of the national flag at Gaja Dwar, the New Building of Parliament, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "If I am not useful here, tell me I will leave...Concentrate on those who are present here... I… pic.twitter.com/SdiuhDZLsF

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2023

Hoisting the national flag, Dhankhar said that it was a “historic moment”. 

“Bharat is witnessing epochal change. The world is in total recognition of the might power and contribution of Bharat. We are living in times, where we are witnessing development, achievements which we never dreamt of,” Dhankhar said. 

As per reports, the special session is going to start from September 18, Monday and would take place in the new building from Tuesday till September 22, Friday. 

Uproar Over Parliament Special Session 

Much furore has been caused as the Opposition alleged the Centre of having a “hidden agenda” behind the special session. 

Last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party released a “tentative” agenda for the five-day special session. 

The Centre has listed a discussion titled "Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories, and Learnings" in Lok Sabha during the special Parliament session.

Congress took a dig at the Centre saying that the “tentative” schedule was released under pressure of a letter written by Sonia Gandhi. The party also said that it will oppose the Bill on the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner.

The government has also included the much-debated Bill concerning the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners in its "tentative" legislative agenda. The Bill was first introduced in the Rajya Sabha in last year's Monsoon session.

Among the other Bills that are likely to be taken up for discussion in Parliament during the special session include The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, and The Post Office Bill, 2023.