New Delhi, Dec 10—During the Winter Session of Parliament, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra steered a discussion that had started about Rahul Gandhi’s planned visit to Germany toward the topic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own foreign trips. When reporters asked her about the timing, she said, “PM Modi spends almost half his working time outside the country. Why are they (BJP) raising questions on the Leader of Opposition travelling?”
Reports suggest that Rahul Gandhi is set to meet members of the Indian diaspora and German ministers during his stay. The move has sparked debate over the role of the Leader of the Opposition while Parliament is in session.
CPI(M) MP Amraram also weighed in, noting that the Leader of the Opposition should be present whenever Parliament meets. He told LatestNewsX, “Only he might know why he is leaving during the session. I believe it is the duty of the Leader of the Opposition to be present here whenever Parliament is in session.”
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took a harsh stance against Rahul’s overseas visits, arguing that the MP often goes abroad when Parliament is convened. “Gandhi later claims that he didn’t get a chance to speak in Parliament. However, in reality, he is often absent,” Joshi said, labeling him “a part‑time, non‑serious political leader.” He went on to add, “Let him go. He is mostly abroad whenever Parliament is in session. Later, he claims he doesn’t get a chance to speak, but the truth is, he isn’t even here… He is a part‑time, non‑serious political leader.”
With the Winter Session set to continue until December 19, the timing of Gandhi’s trip has renewed questions about his commitment to parliamentary duties as Leader of the Opposition. Gandhi has previously expressed concerns over the government’s alleged discouragement of foreign dignitaries from meeting him in that capacity. The government has countered that meetings with visiting leaders are decided by the delegations, not by Indian authorities, and pointed to recent occasions when Gandhi did meet foreign heads of state.
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