Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has rejected the demand of opposition leaders to cancel the suspension of 12 MPs over their misbehaviour in August 11, after which most opposition leaders staged a walk out from Rajya Sabha.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised the matter of the suspensions before long reports of some standing panels were laid on the table. Kharge named the suspensions as “gross violation of rules and procedure” and “violation of well established and time-honoured” parliamentary arrangements.
Kharge said that the suspensions were very selective.
Earlier, 16 Opposition parties, except the TMC, met at Kharge’s office in Parliament to chalk out the methodology to take on the government over the suspensions. While TMC didn’t leave with other parties, its MPs likewise at the end walked out after MP Derek O’Brien had made a short mediation, denouncing the suspensions.
Dismissing the demand to cancel suspensions, Naidu said that the “decision is final”. He pointed out the suspended members didn’t show regret over their supposed misbehaviour that welcomed the suspension request so “I’m not considering”.
“You tried to mislead the House, disturb the House, ransack the House, and you are giving me lessons?” said Mr Naidu.
The RS Chairman also rejected Kharge’s allegation that on 11 August, the names of the members who were suspended were not taken. “There were 33 members who were named. Out of the 33, those 12 names are there,” he said.
“Some people are saying we should have given another opportunity, opportunity for what? Their reaction outside, their TV bites are very much there…I have a sacred duty to see that the House is run,” said Mr Naidu.
