Rahul caught ’napping’ in LS; BJP takes a jibe at Congress

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 10, 2014: Rahul Gandhi with his head slumped to the right and eyes seemingly shut, went viral on social media on Wednesday, prompting the BJP to take a jibe at the Congress.

The 44-year-old Congress vice-president was caught taking his forty winks during a discussion on price rise, an issue the Congress had raised vigorously in Parliament and forced adjournments in both the Houses.

Much to the Congress scion’s misfortune, he was seated right behind CPM member P Karunakaran, who was speaking on the issue and the Lok Sabha TV camera was focussed on him.

The shot, picked up from Lok Sabha TV, went viral on the social media and drew derisive comments.

The Congress promptly denied that Rahul was sleeping. “It is not true. I totally and categorically deny all aspersions,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.
“Rahul Gandhi was seen sleeping in Parliament during a debate on price rise. That’s what the Congress was doing during their 10-year rule,” BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said on Twitter.

Congress leaders rushed to defend Rahul with former Union minister Rajiv Shukla even comparing him with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Sometimes people shut their eyes and listen to the speech very patiently. This must be the case with Rahul Gandhi as well. Atal Bihari Vajpayee always used to shut his eyes to listen to debates. What does it mean?” Shukla said.

Singhvi accused the media of focussing excessively on sensationalism. Shukla also said that a “trivial and frivolous issue” was being highlighted unnecessarily. NCP leader Praful Patel also came to the defence of Rahul claiming that closing one’s eyes does not mean sleeping.

“Many people in Parliament close their eyes. It does not mean they are sleeping,” said Patel, a member of the Rajya Sabha.