The AICC chief firmly distanced himself and the party from any talk of breaking the country, emphasising “unity from Kanyakumari to Kashmir”.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. (kharge/Twitter)
Amidst chaotic scenes in the Lok Sabha on Friday, 2 February, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took a resolute stand against the controversy sparked by the remarks of his party’s MP DK Suresh on a separate nation for southern states.
The AICC chief firmly disassociated himself and the party from any talk of breaking the country, emphasising “unity from Kanyakumari to Kashmir”.
In the meantime, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and DK Suresh’s brother DK Shivakumar said all Congress MLAs, MLCs, and MPs from the state would protest over the unjust distribution of funds at Delhi on 7 February. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would lead the protest.
Highlighting a significant financial disparity, Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka suffered a loss of ₹62,000 crore in the past five years due to what he termed the Centre’s “stepmotherly policy”.
Shivakumar, who is also the party’s Karnataka unit president, said that the Congress’ elected representatives from Karnataka would protest against the Narendra Modi-led Union government over inadequate share of funds.
“Karnataka has contributed ₹4 lakh crore as part of GST, but has received only ₹50,000 crore. 136 Congress MLAs, including ministers, two independent MLAs supporting us, all MLCs and MPs will protest against this injustice in Delhi on 7 February,” DK Shivakumar told reporters on Thursday.
“We have written a letter to the Centre regarding seeking permission for the protest. We will stage a protest at the permitted place. Protesting is our fundamental right in a democratic system. I request the Opposition MPs and MLAs to participate in this protest, which will be attended by Congress MPs,” urged Shivakumar.
As soon as the parliament session proceedings kick-started on Friday, the ruling party’s Rajya Sabha member Piyush Goyal came down heavily on the Opposition party and its MP, who is the younger brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and also demanded clarification and apology.
The Bengaluru Rural MP had expressed grievances over the fiscal injustice in the Union Budget and tax devolution on Thursday.
Speaking just after the budget was presented, Suresh also warned of potential demands for separate nationhood if the alleged disparities were not addressed. He would walk this back in the evening.
Condemning Suresh’s remarks Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister for Textiles Piyush Goyal demanded clarification and apology from the Opposition party.
Goyal raised this issue in the Upper House soon after Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar read out the day’s agenda before the house.
This led to chaos in the session for a brief period as Goyal criticised the Congress over Suresh’s statement.
Goyal said: “It is unfortunate and objectionable that the Congress’ senior leader Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s brother and also a parliamentarian (DK Suresh) has made a statement that they will be compelled to demand a separate country.”
Reading out Suresh’s statement in the House, Goyal said: “The Congress has thought of dividing the country, which we have seen from the beginning. We have seen in the history of the Congress’ business, work culture, and frequent efforts to partition the country. This is just another example.”
He said this needed greater attention, and could not be brushed aside “as a petty issue”.
Condemning the statement of Bengaluru Rural MP, Goyal said: “This is a thought to divide the country. This is a blow to the Constitution, disrespect to the Constitution, and insult to the unity and integrity of this country. When we take our oaths, the country’s sovereignty and integrity are a priority. This has been raised on the day when the finance minister is envisaging the developed India before the country.”
He added: “How would our country move forward in Amrit Kaal? The whole world is looking at us to see what message we would give to this globe. On the same day, the thought of partition and a separate country was put out. The Congress chief should give a clarification on the matter, on whether they endorse this statement.”
He also said: “The country will never accept the Congress’ thoughts over partition. I strongly condemn it. I also demand an apology on the matter and also the parliamentarian to give a clarification.”
AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge expressed discontent over raising the issue in the Upper House of Parliament.
Kharge reiterated that it was against the law and must be raised in the Lower House, considering the said parliamentarian did not belong to the Rajya Sabha.
Responding to this, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted the previous rulings in which he had been allowed to discuss a parliamentarian’s remarks inside the House despite the said parliamentarian not being a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Dhankhar said: “We all have taken an oath under the Constitution. Any outrage of the oath will be a serious matter, subsequently leading to serious consequences. The rules of the House provide that if an issue regarding a member of the other House is to be raised here, that can be done, but if allegations are levelled against the member, then a notice is required.”
On the Congress chief’s objection, Dhankhar pointed out: “Kharge’s observation is that the gentleman happens to be a member of the Lok Sabha. The leader of the House has made an observation, which I think is contrary to the oath, contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. I am sure the entire House will be one. It is all of us in togetherness to see that such kind of tendencies do not get into a grove and need to be nipped in the bud.”
मैं, मल्लिकार्जुन खरगे खुद ये कहूँगा कि कन्याकुमारी से लेकर कश्मीर तक हम एक हैं, एक देश रहेंगे।
इसीलिए इंदिरा गाँधी जी ने अपनी जान दी, और राजीव गाँधी जी ने अपनी जान दी। pic.twitter.com/iajSs8xuAI
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 2, 2024
Kharge also disassociated himself from Suresh’ statement and said that “the party will not tolerate it if anyone talks about partitioning the country”.
Responding to Goyal, Kharge said: “I have said only two things. One is, he is not a member of this House. Secondly, I also saw in the news today that he has said that he did not mean what he said. If he has done it, then move a privilege motion in the Lok Sabha. Thirdly, I will make it clear, we will not tolerate it if anyone speaks about partitioning the country.”
He added: “Let him belong to any party. I, Mallikarjun Kharge, will say that from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, we are one and we will be one and will be one country. (Former prime ministers) Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi gave their lives for this. The party that has such a legacy will never talk about portioning the country.”
Several Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, were also found to be disassociating themselves from the Bengaluru Rural MP’s statement.
Responding to Suresh’s remarks, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Bengaluru: “India should remain united. However, the Centre has not given grants for any projects.”
Suresh’s brother DK Shivakumar told reporters: “I am a citizen of united India. Suresh has only mirrored the disappointment of the people about not getting a fair share of revenues. We are all children of Mother India and have to stay together. South India also needs the same priority and importance that is accorded to the Hindi states.”
He added: “Karnataka has elected 25 BJP MPs and now the number has gone up to 27. What have all the MPs done for Karnataka? Will the BJP MPs from Karnataka protest in front of Parliament at least now?”
Despite the BJP demanding an apology, DK Suresh told reporters in Delhi on Friday: “I stand by my words. My statements are being twisted. I am being attacked for criticising the disparity being meted out to Kannadigas.”
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