"He has become leader of opposing Bharat": Anurag Thakur on Rahul Gandhi skipping VP oath ceremony

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 13 (ANI): BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Saturday criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for skipping the oath-taking ceremony of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, saying he has become the "Leader of Opposing Bharat" and is "nowhere where he is needed."
Speaking to reporters, Thakur said, "When the Parliament is in session, LoP doesn't attend it. When Independence Day is celebrated, LoP doesn't attend the celebrations at the Red Fort. LoP doesn't attend the oath ceremony of the VP-elect. The public didn't make an LoP for the first 10 years. If he has become an LoP for the third time, he has become Leader of Opposing Bharat instead of Leader of Opposition...He is nowhere where he is needed. But Rahul Gandhi leads in opposing India."
On Friday, BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also criticised the Congress party, accusing them of "losing mental balance" after an AI-generated video was posted by the Bihar Congress, which allegedly depicted two characters resembling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother. Sharma said, "Congress has lost its mental balance. To spoil the image of PM Modi, Congress leaders are hurling derogatory words at him. It has become Rahul Gandhi's job to insult the constitutional bodies. He did not attend the V-P oath ceremony today, even though he is the LoP..."
Meanwhile, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan assumed charge as Rajya Sabha Chairman on Friday evening, according to a release by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. He was administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Following the swearing-in, the Vice President paid floral tribute at the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Chaudhary Charan Singh. He then visited the Parliament House Complex, where he was welcomed by Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and the Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha.
At the Parliament House Complex, he offered floral tributes to the statues of eminent national leaders and freedom fighters who contributed to India's freedom struggle and progress. He also planted a sapling to mark his first day in office.
Thereafter, VP Radhakrishnan entered the main Parliament House Building through the Shardul Dwar and formally assumed charge as Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
Floor leaders of various political parties were present on the occasion, along with Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, L Murugan, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and Secretary-General PC Mody. (ANI)