Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the killing of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the Lakhimpur Kheri incident was “clearly” a conspiracy. (File)
New Delhi:
Rahul Gandhi, the head of the opposition charged today against Union Minister Ajay Mishra in the Lakhimpur Kheri case against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accused him of shielding the minister.
“It is said that it (the Lakhimpur Kheri case) is a conspiracy. Obviously it is. Everyone knows whose son is involved. We want the minister to resign. We want to discuss it in parliament. . But the Prime Minister refused. They made excuses”, the leader of the National Assembly told reporters at the National Assembly.
Ajay Mishra, A junior Interior Minister in Prime Minister Modi’s government is facing new demands for his resignation over the October 3 killing of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh in which his son His brother Ashish Mishra was charged.
An investigation team said farmers ran through Lakhimpur Kheri, allegedly driven by an SUV driven by Ashish Mishra, as part of a “planned conspiracy”.
Police investigating the incident have called for a new charge of “intentional murder” rather than “death by negligence” against Ashish Mishra, who has been in prison since October.
Several congressional leaders including Rahul Gandhi passed a motion to postpone the request for Ajay Mishra’s dismissal and a discussion in parliament.
Rahul Gandhi said the Center’s action would depend on the level of pressure exerted by the opposition.
“Depending on the level of pressure we exert, the Center will take action. We will ensure that this criminal is a (resigning) minister and that justice is served to the families.” Member of Parliament told ANI news agency.
“We were told that the farm law would be withdrawn,” he said. People put pressure on and the farm law was withdrawn.
On whether Ajay Mishra should resign, Mr Gandhi told ANI, “Sure.”
Local farmers blamed both the minister and his son for the violence that left eight people dead, including four farmers, a local journalist and two BJP leaders.
The farmers were crushed by an SUV in the minister’s convoy.
Video shows an SUV knocking down protesters from behind. Both the minister and his son denied the allegations.
The BJP has ruled out any discussion in parliament and so far has not taken any action against the minister. Today, the group mocked Rahul Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi has never given a notice to parliament, at least he is making an announcement now. We know how Congress responded to the November 26 attacks when P Chidambaram was Minister of State. How well are the Home Affairs and the BJP dealing with terrorism now,” the Union MP said. Interior Minister Pralhad Joshi.
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