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A dramatic scene unfolded in the Rajya Sabha on Friday after a bundle of notes was discovered on the seat of Telangana Congress MP, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, sparking intense political debate and chaos in the House. The incident triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition, with both sides offering contrasting views on the matter.
The bundle of notes was found by Parliament officials at Seat 222, which is allocated to Singhvi. The discovery immediately led to demands for a thorough investigation from BJP members, who insisted that the matter should be looked into by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. "This is a serious issue, and an investigation must be conducted," said BJP leaders, urging the Chairman to act swiftly.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, however, strongly denied any involvement in the incident. He reacted with surprise, stating, "I have never heard of such an allegation before. I only carry a Rs 500 note with me when I come to Parliament. I reached the House at 12:57 PM, and the session adjourned at 1 PM. After that, I spent some time in the canteen before leaving." Singhvi's defense cast doubt on the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing the matter, confirmed that an investigation would be conducted according to the law. However, he emphasized that no allegations had been made against any individual at this stage. The investigation would focus on how the bundle of notes ended up on Singhvi's seat.
The discovery ignited further controversy when BJP leader Kiren Rijiju expressed confusion over the Opposition's objection to naming the member whose seat was linked to the incident. "What objection does the Opposition have if the Speaker names the member on whose seat the notes were found? It's not appropriate to bring a bundle of notes into the House," Rijiju remarked.
Massive showdown over bundle of cash in Rajya Sabha; Jagdeep Dhankhar claims Rs 50,000 found under Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi's seat
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) December 6, 2024
"I carry one Rs 500 note to Rajya Sabha": Singhvi#ITVideo | @PoojaShali pic.twitter.com/M5jpwCNGcg
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, responding to the BJP’s claims, maintained that the Opposition had no objection to an investigation. He accused the BJP of trying to "suppress" the matter, adding, "When the Chairman is investigating the issue, it doesn't need to be debated in the House." Chairman Dhankhar, while reiterating that an investigation would take place, emphasized that he would only order the inquiry, not conduct it personally.
The incident continues to fuel political debate, with both sides awaiting clarity on the investigation's outcome.
