Cong seeks explanation of truant MPs

With Congress President Sonia Gandhi disapproving of their absence in Lok Sabha, the party has sought an explanation from all its MPs who were not present in the Lower House during Question Hour leading to its collapse.

With Congress President Sonia Gandhi disapproving of their absence in Lok Sabha, the party has sought an explanation from all its MPs who were not present in the Lower House during Question Hour leading to its collapse.

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal has written letters to all the nine party MPs who were absent, party sources said tonight adding they have been asked to explain why they were not present.

Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had yesterday said that if the party MPs were deliberately absent, "the consequences could be very serious."

Thirty-four members who had listed questions were absent during the Question Hour yesterday and nine of them were from Congress. They were Eknath Gaekwad, Madhu Goud Yakshi, B Jhansi Laxmi, Harsh Vardhan, Anto Antony, Vikrambhai Maadam, P T Thomas, K Suresh and Shruti Choudhury.

In the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting held in the last session, Gandhi, who is also the CPP Chairperson, had expressed concern over the trend of MPs remaining absent during proceedings of the House and wanted more attendance.