New Delhi--About a month ago, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh had pitched in against Rahul Gandhi replacing Sonia Gandhi as party chief. “Let Rahul be number two and play that role to eventually take over the party later,” he had argued.
In the Lok Sabha Wednesday, Amarinder could be seen bonding perfectly with the man he sees as number two for now. Amarinder sat next to Rahul, who read the former’s notes on the matter he would try to raise, the alleged molestation on a bus in Moga and the subsequent death of the girl after she was allegedly thrown out.
Amarinder seldom attends Parliament but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan mentioned his name along with others who had given notices for moving adjournment motions. Mahajan, sticking to practice, ruled out the admission of any adjournment motion and suggested those who had given notices raise their issues during zero hour.
Sonia, who was in the first row then, was absent when the House met after an adjournment at noon. It was Rahul who appeared and sat in the second row, between Amarinder and Jyotiradiya Scindia. The papers laid, a discussion on a high court for Telangana ensued. Rahul was seen reading the points prepared by Amarinder.
When Amarinder’s name was called out, TRS MPs were arguing with Law Minister Sadanand Gowda. Amarinder turned his head, as if seeking advice, and Rahul motioned with his head, as if nodding a go-ahead. Amarinder started off, unmindful of the din created by the TRS and ignoring the efforts of three Akali Dal MPs to shout him down. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venakaih Naidu and the Speaker, meanwhile, pointed out that the House had discussed the issue earlier and that Amarinder, therefore, could not raise it all over again.
Indian Express
