Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, alleging that his actions during protests in the Parliament premises led to an injury to BJP MP Pratap Sarangi.
“Due to irresponsible and objectionable behaviour of Rahul Gandhi in Parliament, our senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP from Balasore Shri Pratap Sarangi got injured. Such actions of Rahul Gandhi are not only unacceptable but it is also an insult to the sacred house of democracy,” Majhi posted on X.
Expressing concern over the incident, Majhi added, “I pray for the speedy recovery of Sarangi and strongly condemn such acts in Parliament. This type of violence has no place in a democracy.”
BJP MP Sarangi’s Statement
Pratap Chandra Sarangi alleged that he suffered a head injury after Rahul Gandhi pushed another MP, who then fell on him.
“I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed a fellow MP. That MP fell on me, causing me to fall as well,” Sarangi told reporters.
Rahul Gandhi Responds
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi refuted the allegations, claiming that he himself was pushed and threatened by BJP MPs while trying to enter the Parliament. He also accused BJP members of physically pushing Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
“I was trying to go inside through the Parliament entrance, but BJP MPs were trying to stop me, push me and threaten me. This has happened…Yes, this has happened (Mallikarjun Kharge being pushed),” Gandhi told reporters.
Police Complaints Filed
The incident escalated into a legal battle, with both parties filing police complaints. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of “assault and incitement,” while the Congress alleged that Mallikarjun Kharge was physically pushed during the scuffle.