MP Pappu Yadav stages skit over Ram Temple donation theft in Parliament complex
text_fields
Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, staged a skit on Parliament premises on Friday over the theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as the Opposition stepped up its attack on the issue during the Monsoon Session.
Dressed as a monk, the Purnea MP performed the skit outside Parliament, where he was seen attempting to flee with a donation box before being caught.
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi briefly joined the performance by placing cash into the donation box.
Samajwadi Party MPs Ruchi Veera and Awadhesh Prasad also took part in the skit. During the performance, Yadav was seen taking money from the donation box and putting it into his pocket before other Opposition MPs acted out catching and confronting him.
Yadav's saffron attire also drew attention inside the Lok Sabha, where Speaker Om Birla, without naming him, cautioned members against wearing different costumes to the House.
The Samajwadi Party has been leading the Opposition's campaign over the donation theft, which it is expected to raise as a key issue ahead of next year's Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said the skit was Pappu Yadav's idea but added that the Opposition was united in demanding a discussion on the donation theft in Parliament.
"I have given an adjournment notice on the issue every day since Parliament has been in session. We want the issue to be discussed on the floor of the House, but it is always conveyed that the government is not ready," he said.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present during the skit. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said his party had also been submitting notices daily, demanding a discussion on the issue, but alleged that the government was unwilling to take it up.