Members of Parliament belonging to the opposition parties Tuesday held a march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk to press for their demand to revoke the suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs belonging to the opposition camp.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also joined the Opposition today in protesting the suspension of the 12 Rajya Sabha MPs at Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex here.
Addressing reporters, Rahul said the suspension of 12 MPs is akin to the crushing of the voice of the people of India. He said the government is not allowing the Opposition to raise issues or ask questions in Parliament, reducing it to just being a ‘museum’.
“This (suspension of 12 MPs) is a symbol of the crushing of the voice of the people of India. Their voices have been crushed. They have done nothing wrong. We are not allowed to discuss important issues in Parliament,” the Congress MP said.
“Bills after Bills are being passed in Parliament in the din. This is not the way to run Parliament and democracy. The PM doesn’t come to the House. We are not allowed to raise any issue of national importance. It is the unfortunate murder of democracy,” he added.
“There is no discussion on Lakhimpur Kheri, China, farmers’ issue… what does this mean? This is just a building now, a museum,” Rahul stated further.
‘2-3 capitalists want to steal farmers’ income’
The Congress leader went on to allege that the 12 MPs were not suspended by the government but by a few capitalists who want to steal the farmers’ income.
“A minister killed farmers. The PM is aware of it. The truth is that 2-3 capitalists are against farmers… These MPs were not suspended by the RS Chairman or the PM but by the power that wants to steal farmers’ income. The PM and the Chairman are just implementors,” he said.
The government has responded to the Opposition’s march. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said: “The government is in talks with them (suspended MPs) on an individual level for withdrawal of their suspension. I have made it clear that they should at least express regret.”
“I call upon Congress leaders and others to express remorse and regret and come in the House. The government is ready for discussion on any matter,” the minister added.
Earlier in the day, leaders belonging to various opposition parties held a meeting to decide on a joint strategy to corner the government and demand for the revocation of the suspension of the 12 Rajya Sabha MPs.
It was reported that the floor leaders of various parties held the meeting in the chamber of the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge. A unanimous decision was reached to intensify the agitation.
A total of 12 opposition MPs were suspended from the Rajya Sabha on November 29 for the entire Winter Session of Parliament due to the “unruly” conduct displayed in the previous session in August.
The Opposition has called the suspension “undemocratic and in violation of all the Rules of Procedure” of the Upper House.
Meanwhile, while MPs from most of the Opposition parties today joined the march in Delhi, Trinamool Congress’ Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, however, participated in the proceedings of the Parliament.
