TRS says time to end pro-BJP perception, opposition wary
Item
Title
TRS says time to end pro-BJP perception, opposition wary
Description
NEW DELHI: As the Speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha on Tuesday following protests by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) members, Congress distanced itself from the south-based outfit and said it wanted to participate in the proceedings of the House. The surprise TRS aggression caught all parties unawares, with many including Congress seeing a “hidden agenda” behind keeping the House disturbed when the opposition wanted to join discussions. Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, tweeted to this effect. Senior TRS leader and Rajya Sabha MP Keshav Rao, however, sought to allay apprehensions by saying that his party was genuinely committed to the opposition ranks. “We are fighting BJP, we opposed the farm laws. But there is a perception that TRS is close to BJP. That perception has to go now. It’s time,” he told TOI. Lok Sabha MP Venkatesh Borlakunta said BJP is confusing the Telangana farmers over paddy procurement and the Centre needs to clarify. What was even more intriguing was that TRS, which has largely kept a distance from the opposition bloc, joined the strategy session called by the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, with Rao attending. It is to be seen how the change of stance by TRS is viewed by the opposition, specially Congress, which is fighting the party directly in Telangana and suspects its motives. Congress bid to appear as favouring normal proceedings came a day after party MPs told the leadership at a meeting that they should participate in discussions since disruptions were robbing them of opportunities to raise people’s issues. Congress had only planned for a symbolic walkout for Tuesday. Gogoi tweeted: “Lok Sabha again adjourned because of TRS MPs. Meanwhile, Congress and other opposition parties want the important issues facing the country to be discussed inside Parliament. Raised the demand for discussion on MSP, inflation, Chinese aggression and Covid. Will BJP accept?”
Publisher
The Times of India
Date
2021-12-01
Coverage
India