After the big drama occurred on Friday in the Lok Sabha during no-confidence motion debate, a mini-drama happened on Monday. Congress leader, Mallikarjun Kharge accused an officer of spying in the Lower House during the ongoing monsoon session.
During the Question Hour, Kharge drew everyone’s attention on an officer standing in the Officer’s Gallery. Kharge accused the man of ‘taking notes of the debates and even counting’ the number of leaders present in the opposition parties benches, as reported by Times of India.
Kharge said, “It is surveillance. Who is he? Why is he taking notes? He is counting the number of MPs.”
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted after Kharge made the accusation and the Congress leaders vehemently objected to the alleged officer’s conduct.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Sumitra Mahajan said, from her seat Officer’s Gallery is not visible but assured that she will consider the issue. She said, “I will see to it.”
The mystery of the officer was solved when Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs assured that the officer belonged to his ministry and was just performing his duty.
Prakash Javadekar, HRD Ministry reminded the opposition that the parliamentary proceedings were live streamed and thus nothing could be concealed. He also took a jibe at the absent Rahul Gandhi and said that people can even see who is winking in the House.