'Even Vajpayee came on bullock cart': Renuka Chowdhury counters BJP as Parliament 'dog fight' enters Day 3

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury’s surprise appearance with a dog on the first day of the Winter Session has snowballed into a full-blown political storm, drawing sharp objections from BJP members and setting the stage for a heated Day 3 in Parliament.

The Rajya Sabha is expected to take up a privilege motion against her today over her “dogs and barking” remarks, which several MPs claim undermine parliamentary decorum and security protocol.

Speaking to reporters, Chowdhury dismissed the controversy as misplaced and politically motivated. “People are dying because of pollution, and no one is worried about it. BLOs are committing suicide, families are getting destroyed, labour laws are being forced upon us… but Renuka Chowdhury’s dog has rattled everyone,” she said.

#WATCH | Delhi | On privilege motion being brought against her, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury says, "People are dying because of pollution and no one is worried about it. BLOs are committing suicide, their families are getting destroyed, and they are not worried about them. Labour… pic.twitter.com/D93ey8VqDG

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2025

“I will continue to take care of animals. There is no law that prohibits dogs from entering Parliament. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee once came on a bullock cart,” she added.

Taking aim at Union minister Kiren Rijiju, she said, “Is he giving us a character certificate now? Look within your party first. Your ministers run their cars over farmers. Rijiju ji should focus on his own party before judging others.”

On Monday, Chowdhury had said the controversy made no sense. “The real ones who bite are sitting in Parliament. They run the government. We take care of a mute animal, and this becomes a big issue. Does the government have nothing else to do?”

Responding to objections from the BJP, she added, “The government doesn’t like animals. What’s the harm if a small, harmless animal comes inside? It is not aggressive.”