'If democracy was functioning...': Rahul on replying to BJP charges in Parliament

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said he has told Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that four ministers have made allegations against him and he has the right to respond to that in Parliament.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Gandhi said he is hopeful though not very sure that he would be allowed to speak in Parliament on Friday.

His remarks came after the Parliament proceedings were adjourned due to a ruckus within minutes of him arriving.

"As an MP my first responsibility is to reply in Parliament, only after that I can explain in detail before you," he told reporters.

"If Indian democracy was functioning, I would be able to say my piece in Parliament. So actually what you are seeing is a test of Indian democracy. After four leaders of the BJP have made an allegation about a member of Parliament, is the member of Parliament going to be given the same space that those four ministers were given or is he going to be told to shut up," he added.

Gandhi's remarks during his recent trip to the UK have rocked Parliament, with both houses failing to transact any significant business on the first four days of the Budget session's second half.

During his interactions in the UK, Gandhi alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under attack and there is a "full-scale assault" on the country's institutions.

He also told British parliamentarians in London that microphones are often "turned off" in Lok Sabha when an opposition member raises important issues.

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Gandhi's remarks triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP accusing him of maligning India on foreign soil and seeking foreign intervention, and the Congress hitting back at the ruling party by citing instances of Modi raising internal politics abroad.