Jaya Bachchan, a member of the Samajwadi Party, said on Tuesday that the recently they were some Income Tax raids on some of her party’s members were linked to the ruling BJP’s “jitteriness” ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, which are scheduled to begin in the coming years.
She mocked the fact that no BJP politician appeared to be targeted in the searches, “They’ve all had a dip in Ulti Ganga. Their sins have all been forgiven. The Ganges has now become polluted.”
She questioned whether “we are illiterate, uninformed” to believe the government’s claim that the central agencies act independently.
The accusation comes just after an enraged Ms Bachchan blew outside at “specific” statements made about her during a Rajya Sabha debate on a bill that was later erased and tore into the BJP with a “curse” that it would “soon experience dark days.”
Ms Bachchan, who was visibly irritated, also informed the Chair that it should be fair and that an attempt was really being taken to silence the opposition.
A stormy session
As Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ stood to speak on the bill, opposition parties protested about the suspension of 12 opposition MPs (for “misconduct” in the previous session).
“The Narcotics Control Bureau had been sleeping for six years. It has been reawakened in order to address clerical mistakes. “How can there be a discussion when a guilty party worker is in there, and decent MPs are all out?” asked Congress MP Digvijaya Singh.
This would be an accusation levelled upon Mishra, whose son Ashish Mishra is serving a life sentence in prison for his role in the Lakhimpur Kheri riots, which resulted in the deaths of eight people on October 3rd.
“We demand justice,” Jaya Bachchan told Kalita as she rose to speak. We do not even anticipate fairness from them, but do you think you can deliver it? How are you going to protect the residents of this house, as well as the 12 people who are waiting outdoors?”
End authority arrogance
Later, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sushil Gupta criticized the administration about Ajay Mishra’s continued appointment as minister. He inquired as to whether the administration is considering enacting legislation to “reduce power arrogance.”
“Drugs are being used by Punjabi youth. What steps has the government taken to ensure their safety? Farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri were crushed by the son of a politician. It’s a case of power hubris.
The administration is demanding an explanation in order to lift the detention of 12 members of Parliament. He went on to say, “It is also the hubris of authority.”
Lash out a coincidence?
Jaya Bachchan said that personal remarks were made on the House floor. Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Bollywood actress, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday in connection with the Panama Papers investigation.
After seeking adjournments on two previous occasions, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appeared before the central agency’s Delhi office.
