‘Quit India’: Smriti Irani’s counter after Rahul Gandhi’s attack

Union Minister Smriti Irani countered Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Manipur in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Irani said this was the first time someone spoke about the "murder of Bharat Mata" in Parliament and that she condemned Rahul Gandhi's behaviour in the House. Her statements came after Rahul Gandhi said the BJP had "murdered Bharat Mata in Manipur".

In her fiery address, the BJP MP from Amethi trained guns on the Congress and said, "They are not India". Irani was referring to the opposition bloc's new name -- INDIA.

"You are not India because India isn't corrupt, India believes in merit, not in dynasties, and today, of all days, people like you need to remember what was told to the British - Quit India. Corruption Quit India and dynasty Quit India. Merit now finds a place in India...," Union Minister Smriti Irani said.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's speech, Smriti Irani, who defeated the Congress leader from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat during the 2019 elections, said, "The entire country has seen Congress leaders clapping, thumping desks when Rahul Gandhi spoke of the murder of India."

Smriti Irani also touched upon the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019 and said the status quo will remain.

"It was mentioned in the House today that he (Rahul Gandhi) undertook a Yatra and gave assurance that they will reinstate Article 370 if it is up to them...I would like to tell the person who has run away from the House that neither will Article 370 be reinstated in the country nor will those who threaten Kashmiri Pandits with "Ralib Galib Chalib" be spared," the BJP MP said.

RAHUL GANDHI SAID...

In a blistering attack against the BJP over violence in Manipur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that its politics had "murdered Bharat Mata" in the northeastern state and termed members of the ruling party "traitors".

"Our prime minister has not gone there, he has not gone there till now. He does not consider the Manipur part of India. I used the word Manipur, but the reality is there is no Manipur left. You have divided Manipur into two parts, you have broken up Manipur," Gandhi said.

This was Rahul Gandhi's first address to Lok Sabha after his reinstatement.

"You have murdered the voice of India, which means you have murdered Bharat Mata in Manipur... My mother is sitting here. The other mother, Bharat Mata, you killed in Manipur," he said, pointing to Sonia Gandhi who was present in the House.

In Manipur, they (BJP) have murdered Hindustan. Their politics has not killed Manipur but killed Hindustan in Manipur. Hindustan has been murdered in Manipur....By killing the people of Manipur you have murdered Bharat Mata, you are not desh bhakts (patriots) but deshdrohis (traitors)," the former Congress chief said.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the Congress leader should apologise for his remarks as it is the Congress which is responsible for insurgency and other problems in the northeast.

The no-confidence motion has been brought by Congress on behalf of the opposition grouping I.N.D.I.A.