Amit Shah pulls up BJP MPs for frequently bunking Parliament sessions

BJP MPs have been missing despite repeated warnings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past, including in the ongoing monsoon session.

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday reprimanded party MPs for frequent absence from Parliament, saying that lawmakers should do justice to the people’s faith in electing them to look after the interests of the voters.

BJP president Amit Shah addresses a press conference at the party office in Lucknow. (PTI FILE)

Addressing the BJP parliamentary party in New Delhi, Shah said there were many people who aspire to become MPs but they don’t get the chance.

“If you have been elected, you should do justice,” a source present at the meeting quoted the BJP president as saying. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Assam to review the flood situation, is also “extremely upset”, BJP sources said.

Shah’s reprimand came a day after Opposition parties forced an amendment in a bill to accord constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes over its composition and the powers of states.

With several Opposition MPs, including those from the AIADMK, TMC and others, not present in the House, the government had an opportunity to outnumber the Opposition, but it was hamstrung as its own MPs were missing in the House.

The BJP has 57 MPs in the Upper House, with the other NDA constituents taking the tally up to 75.

The absenteeism of BJP MPs comes despite repeated warnings by Modi in the past, including in the ongoing Monsoon session. On Monday evening when the bill came up for passage in the Rajya Sabha, even ministers were absent.

“Till Parliament is on all members should be present, matter of members not present will be taken up seriously,” parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said after the party meeting.

Shah asked MPs to ensure that it’s not repeated, Kumar said adding that the BJP is likely to seek explanation from the absentee Rajya Sabha MPs.