Raebareli, Sept 13 — A high-level review meeting of central government schemes in Raebareli on September 11 saw a heated exchange between Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh after the latter was reminded to seek the chair’s permission before speaking. A video of the confrontation went viral on social media Friday.
The incident took place during a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the Collectorate’s Bachat Bhawan. In the video, Gandhi is heard saying, “I am chairing this meeting. If you have something to say, ask first, and then I will give you a chance to speak.”
Amethi MP and DISHA co-chairperson Kishori Lal Sharma, several MLAs, and block chiefs were present. Sharma told PTI that the confrontation arose when Singh directly questioned officials without following meeting protocol.
“In DISHA meetings, members must seek the chair’s permission before speaking. I reminded him of this procedure, just as all questions in the Lok Sabha are addressed through the Speaker,” Sharma said. He added that ministers should know parliamentary etiquette and suggested that the Chief Minister take note, asking, “What message does it send about cabinet discipline?”
Responding on social media, Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, addressed a viral photograph of Gandhi shaking hands with his son, who is also a local block chief. Singh claimed Congress supporters circulated the image to troll him. “My son should not have merely shaken hands but touched Rahul Gandhi’s feet as a mark of respect since he is my age,” he said. Singh also stated that he had greeted Gandhi, but “he did not shake hands with me,” and called for “an end to the controversy,” adding, “Let us move forward in ‘apni apni disha’ (our own directions).”
The DISHA meeting was also marked by boycotts. Expelled Samajwadi Party MLA Manoj Kumar Pandey skipped the session after one of his proposals was denied indulgence, while Lalganj block head Shivani Singh reportedly did not attend after her vehicle was allegedly denied entry.
Earlier, Singh, who hails from Raebareli and was formerly with Congress, staged a demonstration with BJP workers demanding an apology from Gandhi for allegedly derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother during a recent Bihar rally.
BJP MLA from Raebareli Sadar, Aditi Singh, said such spats were inappropriate for a development forum. “All elected and nominated public representatives take part in these meetings. Now you have every other platform for politics, 365 days for politics. But when you have such development-oriented meetings, it is best to stick to protocol and respectfully deal with issues related to the public,” she said.
She added that, regardless of party lines, the focus should remain on development. “I don’t like using such platforms for pushing agendas of politics. I prefer doing my work there,” Aditi Singh noted.
