New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not paying condolences to those who lost their lives in the Mahakumbh stampede.



Talking to media, Gandhi said, “We fully support the PM that Kumbh is our tradition, history and culture. We have a complaint is that the PM did not pay homage to those who lost their lives at the Mahakumbh.”



Highlighting the “aspirations of the youth who attended the Maha Kumbh”, he said, “The second thing I want to say is that youth who went to the Kumbh also wants one more thing from the PM, and that is employment. And the Prime Minister should have talked about employment”.



When asked about the Opposition not been given an opportunity to speak in the house on Mahakumbh, Rahul said, “As per the democratic structure, the Leader of Opposition should get a chance to speak, but they don't allow this. This is new India".



Earlier, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too expressed her disappointment over the Opposition not given an opportunity to speak on the Mahaumbh in the Lok Sabha.



Speaking to the media at the parliament premises, Priyanka said, “The Prime Minister spoke about the Mahakumbh in a positive manner. But the Opposition also has sentiments for the Mahakumbh, They (Treasury Benches) should not have had any issues with listening to the Opposition.”



“I think the Opposition should have been given at least two minutes to speak on the Mahakumbh," she said.



Notably, while speaking in the Lower House, the Prime Minister hailed the successful completion of Mahakumbh, saying, "Unity in diversity is India's speciality, and we witnessed this on a grand scale in Prayagraj."



He lauded the massive preparations and seamless execution of the grand religious congregation, which witnessed participation from millions of devotees, saints, and tourists from across the globe.



Following this, the Opposition created an uproar in the Lok Sabha, accusing the government of rule violations during Modi's speech on Mahakumbh, which ultimately led to the house being adjourned for the day.

UNI RBE CS