Opp. stalls RS over MLAs ‘kidnap’
Cong MPs accuse BJP of stealing of MLAs to Rajya Sabha polls
‘If they have a complaint, they should go to Election Commission. Rajya Sabha is not the place to protest, said Naqvi
The Rajya Sabha on Friday faced repeated adjournments after Opposition Congress members created an uproar alleging that the Gujarat police had abducted its MLA in the state with a view to influence the upcoming elections to the Upper House.
Congress MPs trooped into the Well of the House and raised anti-government slogans, charging the BJP with “stealing” MLAs to help its candidates win the Rajya Sabha polls.
Deputy chairman P.J. Kurien first adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes soon after the House assembled as Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, raised the issue.
Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, forcing Mr Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. A repeat of the protests saw Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again. Following this, the House was again adjourned till 2.30 pm.
Mr Azad said Punabhai Gamit, MLA from reserved constituency of
Vyara, after attending district Congress executive committee, had gone for tea to another MLA’s house when district superintendent of police “abducted” him.
“You are stealing MLAs by using the police (to garner votes),” Mr Azad said, adding, “You should be ashamed.”
Earlier, Anand Sharma had raised the issue through a point of order saying the Constitution was being violated by the ruling BJP which was using the police to “abduct” MLAs. He asked the chair to guarantee that the biennial elections to Rajya Sabha are free and fair and MLAs are released.
However, the treasury benches immediately reacted as Union minister Parshottam Rupala countered the allegation and stated that it was an internal matter of the Congress whose MLAs, including the leader of the party in the state Assembly, were deserting it.
Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it is the Election Commission’s responsibility to hold free and fair elections. “If they have a complaint, they should go to Election Commission. Rajya Sabha is not the place to protest.”
Mr Kurien, however, said the Election Commission “does not require a direction from the Chair” to conduct a free and fair election, as it is bound to do so and “they are doing it”.
Mr Kurien asked agitated Congress members to return to their seats so that Zero Hour business could be taken.