Sumitra Mahajan had warned the congress MP’s about strict action against them earlier for bringing placards and causing disruptions however the congress MP’s still brought the placards and disrupted the afternoon session. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that her party TMC would join in the protests in its boycott to uphold “parliamentary principle” and also, its lawmakers would not take salary for these five days. Objecting to the Speaker’s action, Kharge said: “Our demand is that the ministers resign”.
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While taking the tough action under Rule 374(A), she said Monday the members were being suspended for “persistently, wilfully obstructing the House”. “It is government’s duty to function the parliament“.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi dubbed the suspension as “a Black Day for India and Democracy”, while Kharge said the action was way too “harsh” as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had also resorted to such protests when she was part of the opposition in the last Lok Sabha.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament continued to be a washout as both the Houses witnessed another day of disruptions and adjournments on Monday.
Claiming that while Congress was adamant on resignation of BJP leaders, other opposition parties wanted discussion, Jaitley said, “If most of the parties want discussion, Congress should also think on its attitude towards Parliament”.
The first threat of suspension had itself sparked a hint of Opposition solidarity, with Sudip Bandyopadhyay and P. Karunakaran – the Trinamul and CPM House leaders, respectively – pleading with Mahajan on behalf of their Congress peers. He alleged that the ruling party members have been threatening his party colleagues to withdraw the demand for resignation of top BJP leaders.
The government needs the support of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha where it lacks a majority to pass its bills. “The voice of opposition is being muzzled”, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla told reporters outside the parliament.
Reacting to the mass suspension for five days, Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi said that it is a “black day for democracy”. BJD’s B Mehtab said that members have come to Parliament for debate and not boycott.
All protesting MPs surrounded the Speaker’s podium with younger MPs such as Sushmita Dev, Gaurav Gogoi, KC Veugopal, Rajeev Satav, Deepender Hooda, Ravneet Singh ‘Bittu, Ranjeet Ranjan etc keeping up their sloganeering to make up for the ones with lesser stamina.
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The arrogant and adamant attitude of the congress has been viewed by the people of the country, who will be holding hands with Prime Minister Modi to have a congress mukt Bharath.
