The Opposition, led by the Congress, on Tuesday joined hands to demand a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on US President Donald Trump's stunning claim that the Indian leader had requested him to mediate in the Kashmir issue.
If what Trump claims is true, Modi has betrayed India's interests, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, a sentiment backed by several Opposition leaders who spoke out in Parliament and outside.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a statement on the floor of both Houses of Parliament and strongly rejected Trump's comment during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington.
On Monday night, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong denial, saying it has been India's consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally.
Opposition parties were, however, not satisfied and wanted Modi to come to both the Houses and clarify.
Gandhi also asserted that a "weak" foreign ministry denial wouldn't do and the prime minister must tell the nation what transpired in the meeting between him and the US president.
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The issue rocked the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha with frequent disruptions as Opposition members vociferously put forth their demand.
As soon as the Lower House met for the day, members from the Congress and some other Opposition parties were on their feet shouting slogans over the issue.
Later, when Zero Hour began, Congress' Manish Tewari said the prime minister himself should clarify since Trump's statement is serious.
Echoing him, AIADMK's T R Baalu said Modi should personally make a statement since the issue involved him.
When Jaishankar rose to make a statement, it was drowned in protests by the entire opposition. The opposition then walked out of proceedings.
In the Upper House, too, there were heated exchanges between opposition benches and Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who adjourned proceedings. The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly adjourned amid opposition uproar over Trump's comment.
The Congress welcomed the government's reiteration of India's 'no third party involvement' stand on the Kashmir issue but asked why Modi was "mum" over Trump's claim.
The US president's remarks "relate to a meeting between him and PM Modi, wherein our PM had asked him to mediate", Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet.
"Why is PM 'mum' on what transpired between the two heads of states, more so when it affects our sovereignty?" Surjewala asked.
In another tweet, he tagged the remarks of Trump put out by the White House.
"Now, 'Whitehouse' puts up @POTUS assertion in 'black & white' that PM Modi asked him to 'mediate on Kashmir'!" he said