This Post Is Recently Updated on Dec 18, 2023 @ 22:59 pm by TBB Desk
In a significant development in Indian politics, nearly 100 opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were suspended in an unprecedented move due to unruly behavior and causing disruptions during a heated clash with the Centre over a recent security breach in Parliament. This suspension has notably reduced the strength of the opposition bloc, INDIA, by 50% in the Rajya Sabha and 33% in the Lok Sabha.
The situation escalated on Monday when 33 members from the Lok Sabha and 45 from the Rajya Sabha were suspended following a day filled with chaos, marked by opposition leaders chanting slogans and demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This suspension includes 77 MPs who will remain suspended for the rest of the winter session, ending on December 22.
In the Rajya Sabha, the INDIA bloc, which initially had 95 MPs, now sees 45 of its members suspended. Additionally, AAP’s Sanjay Singh is currently incarcerated and already suspended in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. The Lok Sabha has witnessed the suspension of 46 MPs out of its total strength of 133, including 33 suspended on Monday and 13 previously. Among the suspended is Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha.
This suspension is the largest in the history of the Rajya Sabha, with 45 legislators suspended in a single day, as per sources from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The suspension significantly hampers the INDIA bloc’s capacity for the remainder of the session. Key opposition figures such as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPM’s Elamaram Kareem, and DMK’s Tiruchi Siva will now lead the opposition’s efforts in the respective houses.
The suspension has sparked a major political controversy. The opposition has labeled this action as a “murder of democracy,” accusing the government of attempting to create an “opposition-less” Parliament to pass important legislations without debate. Union Minister Piyush Goyal defended the decision, stating that it was necessary due to the disrespect shown to the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman by opposition MPs.
The context of these suspensions includes a significant security breach in Parliament on December 13, when two individuals jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery and released yellow smoke. Around the same time, two others, including a woman, sprayed colored gas outside the Parliament premises. While the government insists that Parliament security is under the Lok Sabha secretariat’s purview, opposition parties have been demanding a statement from Amit Shah, with some calling for his resignation.
Key Points
- Nearly 100 opposition MPs suspended from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Suspension reduces INDIA bloc’s strength by 50% in Rajya Sabha, 33% in Lok Sabha.
- Major political controversy sparked, termed as “murder of democracy” by the opposition.
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal defends the suspension, citing disrespect to parliamentary officials.
- Suspensions follow a significant security breach in Parliament.
