No disruption, but protests over RS MPS’ suspension on
NEW DELHI: There was no let up in the acrimony between the government and the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha over the suspension of 12 lawmakers for the remainer of the winter session, but the differences did not come in the way of proceedings in the Upper House on Friday.
Neither side climbed down from its respective position — the government repeated the demand for an apology from the opposition MPS over the conduct during the monsoon session, while the Opposition remained defiant about their angst at the suspensions.
Leader of the House Piyush Goyal lashed out at the Opposition for refusing to apologise, and said that some “provocative statements” made by leaders of some political parties whose members were involved in the “ugly scenes” witnessed in the
House seemed to suggest that they endorsed the behaviour.
“…The behaviour of the members outside the House even during these last few days, the way the leaders of the parties have been saying, ‘maafi kis baat ki’ (apology for what), it seems as if they endorse all the attack on the marshals and unruly scenes in the House. After that, we would like to understand…what the Opposition expects from us?”
Goyal said: “I was approached by certain members of the Opposition. I said that I am happy to meet everybody, but broad parameters should be that, at least, as courtesy to the chair and House, what is required is an apology… They said, no, we cannot apologise.”
The minister also said he “showed instances in the past” when BJP leaders “apologised on very minor things”. “…But, they feel what they have done is legitimate and noble. Under these circumstances, what do we talk to the Opposition?” he asked.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader Kesava Rao said the government should make efforts to break the deadlock with the opposition. “They have to take the initiative.” Before the House convened for business on Friday, members from both sides assembled at the Mahatma Gandhi statute in the complex for parallel agitations.
The collision of the two protests spilled over to the Lok Sabha proceedings as well. Congress floor leader Adhir Chowdhury alleged that when the Opposition parties were protesting, some “friends from BJP” created a ruckus there. Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal countered Chowdhary: “It’s not your rights alone to protest there. If any one our members want to go and protest, they too, can go at the Gandhi statue.”