Pralhad Joshi Trains Guns At Rahul Over Covid Protocol At Cong Yatra As Parliament Adjourns Ahead Of Schedule

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi once again targetted the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra amid Covid protocol concerns.

New Delhi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday targetted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over Bharat Jodo Yatra as the Parliament's Winter Session ended a week ahead of schedule amid concerns over new Omicron subvariant BF.7.

"It was a unanimous decision to adjourn the winter session ahead of its schedule... I want Rahul Gandhi to continue (Bharat Jodo Yatra). There is a track record that wherever he goes, Congress will be defeated there but I hope he will follow health guidelines," the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Friday adjourned sine die for the winter session of the Parliament, a week ahead of the schedule. The Winter session of Parliament, which commenced on December 7, was to otherwise end on December 29.

However, a decision was taken in the Business Advisory Committee, chaired by the Speaker of Lok Sabha and comprising representatives of the government and various parties, to curtail the session, news agency PTI reported. 

Earlier, the Opposition also demanded early adjournment in view of Christmas and New Year.

According to the agency, before adjourning the Lok Sabha sine die (indefinitely), Speaker Om Birla said the productivity of the House was 97 per cent. The House held 13 sittings totaling 62 hours and 42 minutes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were present in the House.

Covid Concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Rajya Sabha MPs were seen wearing masks inside the House as the Covid surge in China and other countries triggered an alarm and the government has advised caution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the situation related to Covid in the country and advised adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

Notably, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday asked people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. The medical body asked people to avoid international travel and wear masks in all public places.

In a statement, the IMA said the situation was not alarming in India and there was no need to panic. "Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, all are advised to take the following necessary steps to overcome the impending Covid outbreak," the IMA said.