CONGRESS PRESIDENT Sonia Gandhi made her first appearance in the monsoon session of Parliament on August 9, 21 days after it started. She had stayed away because of health reasons and was welcomed to the house by the Congress members. Among the leaders who ushered her in was her son, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, who has emerged out of her shadows in the session, showing not just his willingness for deeper involvement in his party’s parliamentary strategy but also a confidence to engage with other opposition players.
Though Rahul had earlier refused to take over as the Congress’s leader in the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session, he displayed a newfound proactiveness in all parliamentary matters. The changes include a much-improved attendance (he had missed most of the session last year when he accompanied Sonia to the US for her medical check-up), the regularity with which he has been asking questions, and, more significantly, his emergence as a key strategist for the party as well as coordinating with other opposition parties.
Rahul had long been criticised for his seemingly indifferent attitude to Parliament, and his detractors gleefully pointed out his below-par attendance and the low level of involvement in parliamentary procedure.
The Congress leader held meetings with opposition leaders and addressed media conferences, and his performance in Parliament was complemented outside with a tractor rally to express solidarity with the protesting farmers and a cycle ride to highlight the issue of high fuel prices. He also visited the parents of a girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in the capital and attended the farmers’ mock Parliament session, held to protest the three contentious farm laws.
This story is from the August 22, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 22, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state