COVID-19: RLP MP Sparks Uproar In LS With Remark On Gandhi Family

New Delhi: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLP) MP Hanuman Beniwal sparked a major row in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, when he remarked that Congress leaders, Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi should be tested for COVID-19 hinting at their connection to Italy.

Opposition benches rose in protest and trooped out of the Lok Sabha forcing an adjournment of the Lower House of parliament. The Congress members protested against Beniwal's controversial remarks and rose to express their anger. RLP is an ally of the BJP in the NDA coalition.

While participating in a discussion on COVID-19, RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal remarked made a controversial comment stating that West Bengal MP AR Chowdary said that Rahul Gandhi had forewarned the ruling party on the threat of COVID-19. Then he added that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should be tested to see if the virus spread from their house, sparking an uproar.

Earlier, Union Health Minister Harshvardhan briefed both houses of the Parliament on the steps being taken by the government to combat the COVID-19 crisis. It was at this point when members were making their suggestions that Beniwal made his comment which sparked a row.

The Parliament has witnessed noisy scenes from the time that it reconvened in the second stage of the Budget Session. The Lok Sabha was disrupted several times after opposition parties demanded an urgent discussion on the Delhi riots.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla agreed to hold the debate on March 11 after the festival of Holi.