Overview
- Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas criticized Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for joining the December 19 tea hosted by Speaker Om Birla that was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- He said the meeting sent the wrong message just hours after Parliament passed the VB-G Ram G bill that replaces and renames MGNREGA and changes its design.
- Brittas asserted INDIA bloc partners were not consulted about Congress participation and noted absences by allies including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and senior DMK leaders T R Baalu and Kanimozhi.
- He questioned Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s role at the gathering, said she spoke to the Prime Minister about his foreign visits, and claimed she did not raise rehabilitation funds for Wayanad.
- In fresh remarks, Brittas also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s absence during the Winter Session and alleged—without evidence—that the government is preparing to replace Mahatma Gandhi’s image on currency notes.