Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India]: A heated political dispute unfolded in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly as six Congress MLAs were suspended for protesting against remarks made by a state minister about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The controversy erupted when Social Welfare Minister Avinash Gehlot referred to Indira Gandhi as “dadi” (grandmother) while discussing a government scheme, triggering strong objections from the opposition. Multiple Congress leaders spent the entire night in the assembly, demanding that the remarks be expunged.
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully argued that the opposition was only asking for the remarks to be withdrawn, but the government was avoiding accountability.
“The MLAs were ready, we had talked to the Speaker, but we did not get any reply. I believe the government is trying to portray that the opposition is merely protesting without reason. We are only demanding that the remarks on Indira Gandhi ji be taken back, but instead, they are covering up their ministers’ mistakes,” Jully told ANI.
He further criticized the Speaker for not taking action, stating, “It is the duty of all of us, including the Assembly Speaker, to maintain dignity. The Speaker could have ordered the remarks to be expunged, but instead, they provoked the opposition. We had to spend the entire night here. The people of Rajasthan are witnessing the government’s stubbornness.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa defended the minister and accused the opposition of overreacting.
“The incident happened inside the state assembly yesterday. Our minister used the term ‘Didi’ (for Indira Gandhi) out of respect, but the opposition misinterpreted it. The Speaker had already assured them that the words would be expunged, yet they continued protesting and verbally attacking him. This is condemnable,” Bairwa said.
Rajasthan Minister Jogaram Patel also supported Gehlot, stating, “The minister was simply referring to schemes from Indira Gandhi’s tenure. Calling someone ‘dadi’ is not an unparliamentary term. Yet, the opposition reacted aggressively and moved towards the Speaker’s dais. Congress should regret this unlawful act.”
Following the intense exchange, Speaker Vasudev Devnani announced the suspension of six Congress MLAs—Govind Singh Dotasara, Deputy Leader of Opposition Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Zakir Hussain Gasavat, Hakeem Ali Khan, and Sanjay Kumar—for the remainder of the budget session.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also weighed in, claiming that the remarks were deliberately made to provoke the opposition.
The suspension of the six MLAs has escalated political tensions in Rajasthan, highlighting the ongoing power struggle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in the state assembly.