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'Democracy suspended...': Derek O’Brien on action against MPs amid stir
Monsoon session: The opposition has been alleging that the government was not allowing discussion on inflation. While the centre has countered the claims.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien on Tuesday lashed out at the central government after 19 Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended amid opposition protests. This is said to be the highest number of parliamentarians who have been suspended in a single year.
Among those against whom action has been taken are seven Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha members. “Modi and Shah have suspended democracy...what are you talking about MPs?” Derek O’Brien was quoted as saying by news agency ANI after the action.
Of the 19 MPs, seven are Derek’s party colleagues. Sushmita Dev, Mausam Noor, Dr Santanu Sen, Dola Sen, Santanu Sen, Nadimal Haque, Abhi Ranjan Biswas, and Shanta Chhetri are the Trinamool Congress MPs who have been suspended
This comes a day after four Congress MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha. All the suspended parliament members have been accused of unruly behaviour.
While 19 Rajya Sabha members have been suspended for a week, the four Congress Lok Sabha members have been suspended for an entire session.
The opposition has been demonstrating against inflation among other issues, claiming that the government is not allowing a discussion.
But after Tuesday’s action, union minister Piyush Goyal told reporters: “We're ready for discussion but despite that, they (opposition leaders) are repeatedly disrupting house proceedings. We're hopeful that as soon as Finance minister comes the discussion on price rise will take place.Some MPs have been suspended for this week for disrupting the House.”
Earlier, Derek in a tweet had claimed that “for five years, opposition has been denied the right to discuss any issue on an urgent basis,” taking a dig at the NDA government.
(With inputs from ANI)
