The first sitting of Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building saw a heated exchange between members of the opposition Congress and the Treasury benches over Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on the selection of women candidates from weaker sections of society and GST payments due to non-BJP ruled states.
Kharge suggested that the Parliament should have reservation for OBCs as well.
He stated that women from the Scheduled Castes and backward castes and classes are generally not well-educated, and as a result, political parties tend to give tickets to weaker women candidates. Members of the Treasury benches interrupted him and rose in protest. Amid the uproar, Kharge clarified that he was talking about one-third of the tickets and argued that political parties have a tendency to pick candidates from Scheduled Castes and backward classes.
Finance Minister countered Kharge’s statements, saying that making sweeping statements about all parties choosing ineffective women candidates is unacceptable. She emphasized that all women leaders have been empowered and pointed out that the Congress has also had women presidents.
The Finance Minister also questioned Kharge’s assertion that women from SC and backward communities do not get opportunities, highlighting the President as an example of an empowered woman from a tribal community.
Kharge’s remark about India’s federal structure being weakened under Modi’s leadership drew sharp reactions from the Treasury benches. Parliamentary Affairs Minister urged an experienced leader like Kharge to speak like a statesman.
The Congress leader’s charge that the Centre is delaying paying GST dues to non-BJP state governments was countered by Sitharaman, who stated that the Leader of the Opposition’s statement was factually incorrect and that there are no delayed payments on GST.
The Chairman asked both Sitharaman and Kharge to table documents supporting their remarks.
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