Suspension bolsters Oppn

NEW DELHI: The suspension of 25 Congress MPs ended up cementing opposition unity against the government. Some members of regional parties had voiced disagreement with the Congress’ strategy of seeking resignations of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and BJP chief ministers of Rajasthan and MP over charges of impropriety as a pre-condition for Parliament to function at an all-party meet earlier.

“The suspension will increase tensions and intensify the stalemate. Our members will boycott the Lok Sabha,” JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav told HT, requesting the Speaker to take back her decision. Allies Shiv Sena and SAD were with the government. “The Speaker must have taken the decision under great constraints. The Congress crossed all limits today,” BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab told HT.

The Trinamool Congress decided to boycott the House. “The suspension of 25 MPs doesn’t look good. We are opposed to it,” Trinamool Congress Sudip Bandopadhyaya told HT. He said the TMC’s decision had been taken after a green signal from party supremo Mamata Bannerjee.

“We see no justification in the suspensions. The BJP had also stalled the House in 2012 and the Opposition efforts then had led to a JPC being formed to probe corruption,” said CPM leader in the Lok Sabha P Karunakaran. AAP is also with the Opposition on the issue.

While the AIADMK said it would wait for a signal from party supremo J Jayalalithaa, the DMK suggested it was likely to go with the Opposition.

Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge claimed the support of the AITC, NCP, JD(U), RJD, IUML and the Left parties.