BJP rejects demands  

The violence in the Lakhimpur Kheri during the farmers’ protest on October 3 was back in the focus with the Opposition mounting pressure on the Government to dismiss Minister of State Ajay Mishra “Teni” whose son is one of the 13 accused arrested in the case.

The BJP, however, rejected as “unfounded” allegation and the Opposition’s demand for the resignation of the Union Minister and but ruled out a discussion on the Lakhimpur Kheri issue as the matter is sub-judice.

In the Lok Sabha, the Congress demanded dismissal of Mishra and in the Rajya Sabha, a united Opposition wanted reinstatement of suspended MPs of the Upper House. The Government refused to heed both the demands.

In the Lower House, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi moved a notice seeking adjournment of business to discuss a “definite matter of urgent importance” — the SIT report on Lakhimpur Kheri.  The Congress MP said the Government should “immediately sack” Mishra” and “ensure justice is delivered to the families of the victims”.

The Congress and other Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House chanting “we want justice”   “tanashahi nahin chalegi” and carrying placards “Modi sarkar Teni ko barkhast karo”.

The issue has been raised a day after a special investigation team of the Uttar Pradesh Police told a local court that the October 3 incident was a “planned conspiracy” to kill farmers. The Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted from the word go with the Opposition members making their intentions clear that the House businesses will not be allowed. Speaker Om Birla appealed to the members to restore order as the House is also to take up a discussion on price rise.

The question hour progressed under the din before Birla (who did not allow notice of adjournment motion) adjourned the House until 2 pm. The bedlam continued in the House when it resumed proceedings at 2 pm with Rajendra Agrawal in the chair. Amid the ruckus, he said the Zero Hour submissions can be made in writing and it will be considered as recorded.

As Opposition members continued to stay in the Well of the House shouting “we want justice” and carried placards trying to block the sight of the members speaking, Agrawal adjourned the House after its proceedings had lasted barely eight minutes.

Outside both the Houses of Parliament, the Government sought to dismiss the Opposition demand for the dismissal of “Teni” and also hit out at the Opposition members for their continuous disruption of upper House proceedings to seek revocation of the suspension of 12 members

“The probe is on under SC’s directions. Such comments (of Opposition) are unfounded,” BJP leader in the Rajya Sabha and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters.

Asked about the demand for a discussion, he added, “Parliamentary rules dictate that a sub-judice matter is not discussed (in Parliament).” The Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha also hit out at the Opposition members for their continuous disruption of the House proceedings to seek revocation of the suspension of 12 members, who allegedly attacked marshals and indulged in “unruly” conduct inside the chamber in the last session.

This shows that the Opposition parties lack any real issue to criticize the Government and are not keen on raising pro-people matters, Goyal said.

He sought to say that the Lok Sabha was scheduled to discuss the issue of price rise and the Rajya Sabha the Covid-19 situation following the outbreak of the Omicron variant but the Opposition protests caused adjournments in both the Houses.

The Union Minister said 12 Opposition members were suspended for damaging the confidence of Parliamentary security staff and added that the suspended MPs also lowered the Chair’s dignity. They should tender an apology for their conduct, he said.