'PM is Compromised': Suspended MPs Protest Outside Parliament
The suspended MPs were seen protesting outside Parliament, holding posters reading “PM is compromised"
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday following heavy sloganeering by Opposition members over the suspension of eight opposition MPs during the ongoing Budget Session. The House will resume proceedings at 12 pm.
The suspended MPs were seen protesting outside Parliament, holding posters reading “PM is compromised.” Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had made similar allegations while speaking to the media on the India–US trade agreement.
The MPs suspended for the remainder of the Budget Session include Congress members Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and Dean Kuriakose, along with CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to reply to the motion of thanks to the President’s Address later in the day.
Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauria came out in defence of Rahul Gandhi, saying that the Leader of Opposition represents the voice of people who voted against the BJP. He accused the ruling party of attempting to silence the Opposition whenever issues related to national security are raised in Parliament.
Speaking to ANI, Bhadauria said that Rahul Gandhi has the right to raise the people’s voice in Parliament and alleged that the BJP creates an uproar to stifle the Opposition. He further claimed that the ruling party fears damage to its image if the truth reaches the public and asserted that the BJP is rattled.
The eight opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget Session for allegedly violating rules and “throwing papers on the chair” following an uproar in the House over Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on referring to the 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
A day earlier, Rahul Gandhi had stated that he would not quote from any magazine article based on former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, but would speak briefly about Chinese actions during the Kailash Range standoff. The government maintained that he could not refer to an unpublished memoir or related article.
The Chair directed Rahul Gandhi to resume his speech on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address and adhere to the ruling already given. When the House resumed, BJP member Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, named eight opposition members.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju then moved a motion to suspend the eight MPs for the remainder of the Budget Session for violating rules and throwing papers on the Chair. The motion was adopted by the House amid protests from Opposition members.
