Congress MP KC Venugopal files notice for breach of privileges against PM Modi

Congress parliamentarian KC Venugopal on Friday filed a notice for breach of privilege against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his notice to the Rajya Sabha chairman, Venugopal, who holds the key post of All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation), contended that Modi's remarks in his speech in the previous Parliament session, asking why the Gandhi family members were not using the surname Nehru, were defamatory in nature against Lok Sabha members Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The development comes within days of BJP MPs filing notices for breach of privilege against Rahul Gandhi over his UK remarks as well about some contents of his Lok Sabha speech in the last session.

In his notice under Rule 188, Venugopal referred to the particular excerpt of Modi's speech made in Hindi. According to that, the PM, while expressing his surprise, reportedly said, "If Nehru ji's name is left out by us, we would correct our mistake as he was the first prime minister of the country. But I do not understand why anyone from his family is afraid of keeping the Nehru surname. Is there any shame in having the Nehru surname? What is the shame? Why is the family not ready to accept such a great personality."


Venugopal said in his notice, "The above mentioned remarks prima facie made in a mocking manner are not only disgraceful but also insulting and defamatory vis a vis the members of the Nehru family particularly Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Shri. Rahul Gandhi who are members of the Lok Sabha."