Rajya Sabha Suspends 45 MPs, Lok Sabha Suspends 33 as Congress Accuses Government of ‘Opposition-less’ Parliament
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have taken action against Members of Parliament (MPs) following continuous protests by the opposition. On Monday evening, Rajya Sabha suspended 45 MPs for the remainder of the Winter Session, while earlier in the day, Lok Sabha suspended 33 MPs over demands for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding last week’s security breach. The move has drawn criticism from the Congress party, which accuses the government of trying to pass legislation without opposition scrutiny.
The suspension of MPs in Rajya Sabha came after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge refused to meet with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar in his chamber. A motion moved by Union Minister Piyush Goyal alleging misconduct led to the MPs’ suspension.
In Lok Sabha, 30 MPs were suspended due to their protests, while an additional three MPs were suspended over a breach of privilege investigation. Among the suspended MPs are Congress stalwart Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, DMK leader TR Baalu, and TMC’s Sougata Roy. This brings the total number of suspended MPs in Parliament to 93.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Modi government, stating that it has disregarded democratic norms. Kharge’s demands include a statement from the Home Minister on the security breach and a detailed discussion on the issue. He expressed concern that the government will now have the ability to pass important legislation without any opposition or debate.
The security breach occurred last Wednesday when intruders entered the Lok Sabha chamber, raised slogans, and released smoke canisters before being apprehended by MPs. An ongoing investigation has led to the arrest of six individuals in connection with the incident.
Opposition parties have staged significant protests in both houses of Parliament, demanding statements from Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi, in an interview with Dainik Jagran, called for an investigation instead of a parliamentary debate on the matter.
The suspension of MPs has further intensified the political battle in Parliament, with the opposition accusing the government of stifling dissent and undermining democratic principles. It remains to be seen how this will impact the functioning of the Winter Session and the passage of important legislations.
The latest suspensions in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha shed light on the heightened tension between the government and the opposition. As the Winter Session continues, all eyes will be on how the political landscape evolves within the walls of Parliament.
