Cong MP submits privilege notice against BJP’s Patra for ‘traitor’ barb at Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP Hibi Eden has submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against BJP MP Sambit Patra for his remarks calling leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi "traitor of the highest order", asserting that the usage of "completely defamatory and unparliamentary words" has clearly violated constitutional norms.

In his letter to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, Eden said, "I wish to raise a motion of privilege and bring to your attention the completely unparliamentary conduct of Sambit Patra, MP Lok Sabha, against the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi."

In a press conference held on 5 December, Patra has referred to the leader of Opposition as "traitor of the highest order" while making unfounded allegations against the LoP, he said.

"The usage of such words against the LoP, while being defamatory and unacceptable in public life, is also a complete breach of parliamentary privilege of the LoP," Eden argued.

"I wish to highlight that the position of the leader of Opposition is a constitutional position and therefore requisite parliamentary dignity needs to be given to such a post. Patra, by the usage of completely defamatory and unparliamentary words, has clearly violated constitutional norms and should be held in contempt of the same," the Congress MP from Ernakulam said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashed out at the BJP on Friday over its leader Sambit Patra calling Rahul Gandhi a "traitor".

She asserted that nothing is above the country for her brother.

She said the accusation was nothing new coming from such people as those who called former prime ministers traitors.

"Those who can call Jawaharlal Nehru, who spent 13 years in jail during the Independence struggle, a traitor, those who can call Indira Gandhi, who broke Pakistan into two, a traitor, and those who can call Rajiv Gandhi, who was martyred for the country, a traitor, then if they are doing the same with Rahul Gandhi then there is nothing new in it," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told reporters outside the Parliament building.

"I am proud of my brother, for my brother, nothing is above the country," she said as she participated in the opposition's protest over the Adani issue.

In his letter to Birla, Eden said, "I further wish to add that it is highly unfortunate and disgraceful that a leader whose family has given so many sacrifices for the country is being subjected to such harsh and socially appalling language by a member of the ruling party."

The Congress leader requested Birla to take appropriate and immediate action on this privilege motion, Eden said.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore had on Thursday written to Birla, expressing deep concern over Patra allegedly using "slanderous language" against Rahul Gandhi at a media interaction, and sought stringent action against the ruling party leader.

In his letter to Birla, Tagore had alleged that Patra's conduct was a "clear violation" of the decorum and ethics expected of a member of Parliament.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs K Laxman and Patra cited a report published by French media outlet "Mediapart" to target Rahul Gandhi, after the ruling party raised the issue in the Lok Sabha.

Patra claimed that billionaire investor George Soros and some US-based agencies, investigative media platform "Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)" and Rahul Gandhi occupy three sides of a "dangerous" triangle trying to destabilise India and stoke public disaffection for a regime change in the country.

"I have no hesitation in saying that he (Rahul Gandhi) is a traitor of the highest order," Patra had said.