New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed sharp exchanges between Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who accused the opposition of indulging in politics at a time when the country should be united in the face of the West Asia conflict.

Tempers flared up as Kharge questioned why the government was not holding a discussion on the West Asia crisis in Parliament and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not being present at the all-party meeting on the issue.

Rijiju hit back at Kharge, accusing him of failing to uphold the dignity of his post by making "irresponsible" statements and "abusing" the prime minister.

He said none of the Leaders of Opposition (LoPs) attended the all-party meeting, adding that it was unfortunate that the opposition was "playing politics" over the issue.

Kharge condemned the minister's remarks and demanded that he withdraw them. He also accused the ministers of being "dummy", alleging that they held no powers.

"Should we attend to listen to your lecture? What authority do you have? You are all dummy ministers. You don't have power. I condemn such a statement," the Leader of Opposition said.

Rijiju said the Leader of Opposition should talk responsibly while upholding the dignity of the position he holds. "He does not uphold the dignity of his position. He himself gives irresponsible statements. Their Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha also is like that ...," the minister alleged.

Earlier, after Chairman C P Radhakrishnan announced the start of the Question Hour, Rijiju urged the House to sit till late in the evening to take up the government agenda listed for the day.

The Chairman said the House will skip lunch for the day and will sit till late in the evening to clear the government's legislative business, which includes the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill 2026 and The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The government has also listed a statutory resolution for levying Special Additional Excise Duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) with a prescribed rate of Rs 50 per litre on ATF.

Rijiju said the BJP is ready to sacrifice some of the allotted time remaining with it on the CAPF Bill. "I will not tell other members to sacrifice their time, but we will sacrifice our time as some of our members will speak but for a lesser time. If it is required, we can sit a little after 6 PM," he said.

Reacting to it, Kharge accused the government of forcing its agenda while failing to pay heed to the opposition's concerns. "They bring bills whenever they want. They are ready for a discussion anytime and come out with a statement anytime." The Leader of Opposition said he has written to the Chair twice for taking up a short-duration discussion on the West Asia conflict, but no time has been allotted. "The entire world is suffering due to LPG, gas and other things and prices are rising here. But why are they not agreeing to a discussion?" "Whatever we suggest, they disagree. And, whatever they want, they put (in the agenda) and declare forcibly with a voice vote. What is this? Is it democracy?" he asked.

Addressing the Chairman, he said, "We thought that after you came, the opposition would get more justice." The Chairman countered Kharge, saying, "You are getting more time than the treasury benches; I will give you the data." Rijiju then said that many members raised the West Asia issue in the business advisory committee meeting, where it was stated that the government is not running away from a discussion.

"What the Leader of Opposition is saying is not right. Firstly, the ministers concerned made their statements in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Then the prime minister made a detailed statement in Parliament.

"There is a problem here. They want to speak what they want, but they don't want to listen. It is just the opposite happening here. They accuse us but don't listen to the government here," the Parliamentary Affairs minister said.

He said that when an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis was convened, none of the leaders of the opposition from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha attended, even though Congress members and those of other opposition parties were present.

During the discussion on the finance bill, he said, opposition members only spoke about LPG, petrol and diesel. He said the finance minister gave a detailed reply, and the prime minister had a detailed discussion with state chief ministers via video conferencing.

He said the finance minister told both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha about the steps taken to tackle the crisis and to control the prices, as they have skyrocketed across the world, while there has been no increase in India.

The excise duty has been reduced and "despite handling the situation so well, you (opposition) play politics on the issue", Rijiju lashed out at the opposition.

"Is this an issue to play politics on. There is a crisis in our neighbourhood from where petrol and gas are supplied. The war is not happening because of us. In such a crisis, the opposition is playing politics. It is so unfortunate. This is time for the entire country to stand united. This is not the time for playing politics," Rijiju said.

Countering Rijiju, Kharge said, "Where was your prime minister. Where was he? You were there as the government representative; I had also sent our representative. Your prime minister was not there. Should we attend to listen to your lecture? What authority do you have...." Hitting back, Rijiju said they have always given respect to the Leader of Opposition.

"They only indulge in abusing the prime minister, both inside and outside the Parliament, day in and out. We consider the leader of opposition as senior and think he would talk responsibly while upholding the dignity of the position he holds.

"He does not uphold the dignity of his position. He himself gives irresponsible statements. Their leader of opposition in Lok Sabha also is like that ...," the minister alleged.

The Chairman then announced that the Question Hour will be taken up. PTI SKC RT