Rahul Gandhi's 'Flying Kiss' In Parliament Triggers Controversy. Who Said What

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi landed in a controversy after he blew a flying kiss to BJP MPs as he was walking out of the Lok Sabha premises on Wednesday.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Source : Getty

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who opened the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, landed in a controversy after he blew a flying kiss to BJP MPs as he was walking out of the Lok Sabha premises and Union Minister Smriti Irani's speech was underway.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and other BJP women MPs filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against the Congress MP, demanding "stringent action" against him for behaving in an "indecent manner" and making "inappropriate gesture" towards Smriti Irani.

"We demand stringent action against such behaviour by the member (Rahul Gandhi), which has not only insulted the dignity of women members in the House, it has also brought disrepute and lowered the dignity of this House," the complaint, signed by more than 20 women parliamentarians, said.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje's remarks:

"This is the first time we have seen such behaviour from an MP in the House. He made a gesture of a flying kiss at women MPs in the House....It is unacceptable. We have complained to the Speaker to take action against him," she told ANI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi's statement: 

"I don't understand that when he was speaking, all the ministers were standing up. Ministers were creating obstructions. He made an affectionate gesture, what problem do you have with it? You are habitual of so much hatred that you fail to understand any gesture of love, of affection. You disqualified Rahul Gandhi as an MP and ousted him from his residence. He came back after winning his cases. Still, he is not talking to you out of hatred. If you have a problem, it is your problem and nobody else's," Chaturvedi said.

Union Minister Smriti Irani

"Never before has the misogynistic behaviour of a man been so visible in Parliament as what was done by Rahul Gandhi today. When the House of the People, where laws are made to protect the dignity of women, during the course of a session stands witness to a man's misogyny, my question is should he be brought to task?" she questioned.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

"He gives a flying kiss. What has happened to Rahul Gandhi? So many women are seated there (in the House). He has no manners. It is very painful," he said while speaking to ANI.

Shehzad Poonawalla's remarks:

"His behaviour today towards women parliamentarians was completely against the code and conduct of the Parliament," the BJP spokesperson said.

Congress MP Geeta Koda's statement

"Rahul Gandhi has always respected women, but the BJP doesn't want to see him in Parliament," she told PTI.

Union Minister Darshana Jardosh

We didn’t like it when he (Rahul Gandhi) gave a flying kiss while he was leaving as it goes against our culture. We won’t tolerate such things in the Parliament,” she said.