Congress scion has opposition within, as he skips debate on farmers’ plight – Economic Times

NEW DELHI: There were murmurs in Congress circles in Parliament over party vice-president Rahul Gandhis absence in the Lok Sabha during Wednesdays hardearned debate on farmers distress. Though his absence was justified by citing a scheduled rally in Rajasthan on Wednesday afternoon over the same issue, the fact that he chose to miss the debate that the Congress-led united Opposition had wangled after staging a series of protests and forcing three adjournments of the House in Gandhis presence left many wondering whether Gandhi has his priorities right.

It looks like a case of Rahulji preferring a district stage over a national platform to address a burning national issue, said a party MP. Many wondered why he let his Rajasthan trip clash with the debate since it was a forgone conclusion that the Opposition would seek a debate on farmers issue. They said he could have held the rally before the session or during the weekend. With the leader missing, Congress fielded Jyotiraditya Scindia to open the debate, with a strong denouncement of Centres handling of farmers issues.

There is no clarity on whether the debate will conclude on Monday or spill over to next working days so that Gandhi can catch up. As per government-Opposition pact, Parliament will adjourn on Thursday after Question Hour as counting of votes in presidential poll will be held then. Gandhi is expected to skip Parliament on Friday too, to address a Dalit conference in Bangalore.

Congress leaders want Gandhi to make best use of the session for two reasons: As opposition parties unite over several issues, they want Gandhi to emerge as the leading voice. Secondly, given this could be the last session before his planned takeover as party chief, they hope he will make an effort to repair his sloppy parliamentary track-record to set the right atmospherics.

However, his absence during Wednesdays debate made them mindful of his penchant for vanishing acts at politically incorrect times. He had gone abroad last year for two months at the height of the Congress agitation against the land acquisition bill and on a 20+ day trip to Europe during Oppositions unity show over farmer suicides, cow vigilantism and during pre-presidential poll deliberations.

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Congress scion has opposition within, as he skips debate on farmers' plight - Economic Times