6 TRINAMUL MPs SUSPENDED: PEGASUS ROW

Fourteen Opposition parties issued a joint statement on Wednesday demanding a discussion in Parliament on the Pegasus snooping issue, to be followed by a reply from the Union home minister.

Meanwhile, six Trinamul Congress members who ignored the requests of Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu not to display placards were suspended for the day for disobeying the Chair.

Fourteen Opposition parties issued a joint statement on Wednesday demanding a discussion in Parliament on the Pegasus snooping issue, to be followed by a reply from the Union home minister. Accusing the government of being “arrogant” and “obdurate” in its refusal to allow a discussion, their joint statement said the government alone was responsible for the continuing logjam in parliament. “It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined Opposition and blame it for the continued disruption in Parliament,” the statement said.

The Opposition also unequivocally said that a discussion on the farmers’ issues and agitations arising from the “anti-farmer agricultural laws” should follow the discussion on Pegasus. They said it “urges the government to respect parliamentary democracy and accept the discussions”. It added: “The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorsteps of the government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the Opposition’s demand for an informed debate in both Houses.”

Meanwhile, six TMC members who ignored the requests of Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu not to display placards in the Upper House and go back to their seats, and who were also sloganeering in the Well of the House, were suspended for the day for disobeying the Chair.