'Can Have Fish Curry if Derek O'Brien Allergic to Chaat-Papri': Delectable Turn to Centre vs Oppn War of Words

It may not have been a productive week in Parliament but the gloves are off between the Centre and the Opposition, albeit with a delectable twist. A day after Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien compared the passage of bills to “making papri chaat”, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the TMC leader could have fish curry if he was allergic to papri chaat but “don’t turn Parliament into fish market”.

“If he’s allergic to ‘chaat-papri’, he can have fish curry. But don’t turn Parliament into fish market. Unfortunately, the manner in which work is being done with conspiracy to malign Parliament’s dignity, was never seen before,” Naqvi said.

He added, “If you malign the dignity of the Parliament, such activities are neither in their interest nor ours. It is not even in the interest of the Parliament traditions.”

O’Brien’s tweet had also riled Prime Minister Narendra Modi who slammed “derogatory” comments being made about parliamentary procedures, without naming anyone.

The prime minister said his government was committed to the cause of the people and that is one of the reasons he asked all his ministers and MPs to ensure maximum presence in the House and in parliamentary proceedings.

The Opposition has been turning up the heat on the government over the Pegasus snooping row and the farmers’ protest, which has resulted in a complete washout of the Monsoon Session. Both the Houses have seen repeated disruptions and adjournments as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the issues.

Interestingly, O’Brien seemed to be in no mood to relent as he tucked into a plate of ‘papri chaat’ at the TMC office as the prime minister slammed his comments.

Unfazed, the TMC Rajya Sabha MP said his intention was to use a cultural idiom to connect with the people over the serious issue and asked if the PM would be happier if he used the word “dhokla” instead.

He stressed that the real issue was the hurried passing of bills in both the Houses without any discussions and even went on to say that the prime minister’s reaction showed that the “TMC is setting the agenda”.

“The TMC is setting the agenda and the PM is replying. Nowhere has the PM disputed the number we have put out of seven minutes. It is a cultural idiom that people understand. Would PM be happier if I used ‘dhokla’ instead?” the Trinamool Congress leader later told reporters.

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