New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused the Opposition of lacking confidence after repeated electoral defeats and alleged that its frustration was being reflected in disruptions during Parliament proceedings.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Rijiju was responding to questions about disruptions by Opposition parties during the recently concluded Monsoon Session and their coordination within the INDIA bloc.
“The Opposition is currently somewhat fragmented and lacks confidence. When they fail to win elections, they vent their frustration in Parliament,” Rijiju said.
The Minister also blamed Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for the conduct of Congress MPs, saying the House could have functioned more smoothly had Gandhi wanted it to.
“I have met Rahul Gandhi and also spoken to him on the phone. I respect him a lot because he is the Leader of the Opposition and a senior leader. However, our efforts towards smooth functioning of the Parliament were not successful,” he said.
Rijiju added that Gandhi had the authority to ensure discipline among Congress MPs.
“Everyone knows that if Rahul Gandhi wanted, the Congress MPs would not resort to abuses, sloganeering, and ruckus during the House proceedings. Rahul Gandhi is the only leader in the Congress who can correct the behaviour of his MPs,” he said.
Rijiju also rejected Opposition claims that Union Home Minister Amit Shah remained absent from Parliament during the Monsoon Session. He said Shah regularly came to Parliament and remained on the premises for most of the day.
“The Home Minister (Amit Shah) used to come to Parliament (during the Monsoon session) and remain there from morning till evening. He cannot really go amid the ruckus, can he? They (the Opposition) are just resorting to spreading rumours,” Rijiju said.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister’s remarks come amid continued political differences between the government and Opposition over the conduct of Parliament proceedings during the Monsoon Session.
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