Description of Rahul Gandhi as 'Yuvraj' kicks up storm in RS
New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) Reference to Rahul Gandhi as 'Yuvraj' repeatedly by a Congress member in the Rajya Sabha kicked up a storm with the opposition BJP and Left allies of the government strongly objecting and saying in a democracy such titular descriptions did not exist.
Mr E M Sudershan (Congress), while speaking during a discussion on the Working of the Rural Development Ministry, refered to Mr Gandhi, Lok Sabha Member from Amethi, as a saviour of the rural poor and the downtrodden.
Mr Sudershan, in his 30-minute speech, refered to Mr Gandhi's recent storming of the Bundelkhand District Magistrate's office and said he (Mr Gandhi) had become a ''Yuvraj'' for the local poor and was being treated as a ''Yuvraj''.
This was strongly objected to by Mr Balbir Punj (BJP) and Ms Brinda Karat (CPM) who said such descriptions of individuals were not in tune with democratic ideals and principles.
''We condemn the thing that somebody should be referred to Yuvraj in a democracy...If there is a Yuvraj, there has to be a Rajmata, Maharaja, Maharani. Calling a person Yuvraj is a mockery of democracy,'' Mr Balbir Punj said.
This provoked Congress members to stand in support of Mr Sudershan saying there was no harm in describing a popular leader like that.
''India is considered a great nation. Even Nepal has given verdict against monarchy...We all respect our leaders. But being referred to like that (Yuvraj), we cannot accept that,'' said Ms Karat.
The arguments continued for about 15 minutes following which the Chair asked Mr Punj to continue with the speech.
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