Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday accused the Opposition of running away from a debate in Parliament on the ethnic violence in Manipur and wondered what the use of getting elected was if they wanted to raise issues on the streets.
Thakur’s remarks come against the backdrop of an impasse in Parliament since the Monsoon session began on 20 July over discussion on the Manipur situation, with the Opposition insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House.
“If you have to raise issues on the streets, then what is the use of getting elected to the House?” Thakur said, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, asserting that the government was ready for a debate on the situation in Manipur. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said that he was ready for a debate in Parliament on the Manipur situation.
He claimed that the Opposition only looked for reasons to “run away” from the House. “They only believe in running away and not participating in debate. They want to remain in the news but not take part in the discussion. It is clear that they are resorting to politics in an election year,” Thakur said.