A day after the BJP submitted a notice against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha over alleged inaccuracies in his speech, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that any member attempting to mislead the House would face consequences as “rules will get them.”

Rijiju’s comments followed a notice submitted by BJP member Bansuri Swaraj, urging the Speaker to take cognizance of her notice against purported inaccuracies in Gandhi’s speech on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

“When the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha kept on lying on many things, including facts and figures, a notice was put to the Speaker, and we have requested the Speaker to take appropriate action. We are waiting for the action,” Rijiju stated in response to questions on the issue.

The minister underscored that rules apply equally to everyone, asserting that no member is above the Chair in the House. “Nobody can expect to escape. There is no special privilege for anyone just because he comes from a privileged family,” Rijiju said. “If anybody wants to misuse the position in the House to mislead the House, he will not easily get away. Rule will get them.”

Following Gandhi’s speech on Monday on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Rijiju accused the Congress leader of making “untruthful” claims on various issues, including the Agnipath scheme and compensation paid to locals in Ayodhya.

Under Direction 115 of the Speaker, a member wishing to point out any mistake or inaccuracy in a statement made by a minister or any other member can write to the Speaker, highlighting the specifics of the alleged mistake or inaccuracy, and seek permission to raise the issue. The member may present evidence to the Speaker in support of the allegation. The Speaker can then bring the matter to the attention of the concerned minister or member to ascertain the factual position.