New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, on a visit to Malaysian Parliament in 2018, was so awed and impressed by its plush interiors and accessories that he called for an upgrade in India. While tweeting, he lamented that in Lok Sabha, we don’t have enough leg room and are forced to sit crammed on benches.
Now, the same tweet has come to haunt him when the Congress is opposing the Central Vista project tooth and nail. Led by Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders are accusing Modi govt of impropriety and weakening the Covid-19 fight by diverting Rs 20,000 crore for a project, which is ‘non-essential and not in nation’s interest’.
Visited the Malaysian Parliament &entered the empty chamber of the Lower House. Felt a pang of envy: Each MP has their own nameplate, plush leather swivel chair, laptop&mike. We in the LokSabha sit crammed on benches w/no leg room to stand, let alone swivel. Time for an upgrade! pic.twitter.com/mfhjEpsqe7
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 22, 2018
Shashi Tharoor, one of the ardent critics of Central Vista project, was caught on the wrong foot as his 2018 tweet found has come back in focus and is drawing strong reactions for alleged ‘double standards’.
I see lots of #CentralVista apologists making hay out of my 2018 tweet. The Parliament upgrade I sought could have been achieved by converting the Central Hall of the present Parliament into the Lok Sabha with all the facilities I admired in the Malaysian one. No new bldg needed https://t.co/DNqlKLjTBq
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 1, 2021
Congress leader today took to Twitter to issue clarification over his 2018 tweet. He said, the upgrade could have been possible by converting Central Hall into new Lok Sabha and no new building was needed. As expected, many are not buying into his arguments.
Cong Speaker Meira Kumar approved new building in 2021
Not just Shashi Tharoor, another Congress stalwart Meira Kumar was recently in the news for party’s duplicity on the project.
Congress leader and LS Speaker in 2012 Meira Kumar had approved of a new Parliament building.
Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the ex-Lok Sabha Speaker had reportedly sent a letter in 2012 to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The letter stated that the Speaker has given approval for the construction of new Parliament building and that she said that the issue should be given top priority.
