Dinesh Pratap Singh accuses Rahul Gandhi of straying beyond mandate in DISHA meeting

Heated Clash Between Rahul Gandhi and UP Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh at Rae Bareli DISHA Meeting

In a fiery exchange that lit up social media, Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh fired back at Rahul Gandhi during a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting in Rae Bareli. The spat unfolded on Friday, September 12, as tensions boiled over rules and authority in the Lucknow-based gathering.

The drama kicked off when Rahul Gandhi, chairing the meeting as the local MP, clashed with Singh over who gets to speak. Gandhi firmly told Singh, "I am chairing this meeting. If you have something to say, ask first, and then I will give you a chance to speak." But Singh, a BJP leader and former Congress member who once challenged the Gandhi family in Rae Bareli elections, didn’t back down. He hit out at Gandhi for ignoring parliamentary norms, asking, "Why should I accept his rights when he himself does not consider the rights of the Lok Sabha Speaker?"

Singh stressed that he stuck to the guidelines throughout. "I protested any discussions out of the scope of the 43 schemes of DISHA," he told reporters. He praised the meeting’s outcomes, adding, "I am happy that 100% achievement was achieved in many programmes discussed by officials from both the governments."

The video of their argument quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions. Singh, speaking to after the meeting, clarified Gandhi’s role: "Though the DISHA meeting concluded, its chairperson is the supervisor of the rules and regulations issued by the Rural Development Ministry of the Government of India. Rahul Gandhi only has the right to monitor the 43 programmes given by the Government of India and Uttar Pradesh."

He accused Gandhi of straying off-topic and not following protocol. "He should check whether the money given for those 43 schemes is being used properly or not. He neither reads the guidelines of the DISHA meeting nor makes his party read them. Proceedings were contrary to the scope of the meeting, which I opposed," Singh said.

Amethi MP KL Sharma, who attended the meeting, jumped in to support Gandhi, escalating the back-and-forth.

These DISHA meetings happen every quarter to review development projects in the area. They bring together the local MP, District Magistrate, MLAs from Rae Bareli, and other officials. Singh, as the Uttar Pradesh minister, was there to represent the state government.

The clash happened during Rahul Gandhi’s two-day visit to his Rae Bareli constituency from September 10 to 11, spotlighting ongoing political rivalries in Uttar Pradesh politics.

Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.