Cutting across party lines, Rajya Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over a “well planned conspiracy” to tarnish the image of MPs and eroding the stature of democratic institutions. The agitated Elders also alleged discrimination against Rajya Sabha members vis-à-vis lok Sabha MPs while forming vigilance committees.
Incidentally, the Rajya Sabha functioned for nearly an hour for the first time since the Monsoon Session commenced on July 21. The House had, so far, witnessed adjournment every day without transacting any business. Chairman Hamid Ansari remarked, “I congratulate the House as partial normalcy has returned and hope the Question Hour will also go on.” However, the Congress members were in mood to relent and rushed into the Well forcing adjournment.
Raising the issue of “conspiracy” against the MPs, Samajwadi Party(SP) member Naresh Agrawal said a “systematic” campaign was on to bring down the image of MPs amongst the masses. The statements targeting the elected representatives ranged from Sadhvi Prachi claiming terrorists were sitting in Parliament to consumption of subsidised food in Parliament, besides Delhi High Court ordering disconnecting of water and electricity supply to MPs and MlAs who have not paid dues for three months, he said.
Wondering why such directives disconnecting electricity and power connection of bureaucrats and others were not issued, the SP leader also questioned the move to have fast-track courts to try politicians. He said such courts should also be set up to bring terrorists to justice. Without naming anyone, Agarwal also said a former Supreme Court judge had called MPs “rascals”. He also criticised the quality of food served in Parliament canteen.
Associating himself with the SP leader’s views, leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said comments against MPs, MlAs or Ministers were “destroying their image” and “comments on institutions should stop,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Anil Madhav Dave (BJP) said persons ranging from news anchors to industrialists and members of the judiciary keep making comments against MPs. He also put a question mark on the integrity of some mediapersons and businessmen.
On the issue of non-adherence to protocol, Agrawal alleged the Upper House members were considered lower than those of the lok Sabha and seniority was not given any consideration. He said the Government while forming vigilance committees in each district appointed lok Sabha members as chairmen and not anyone from the Upper House.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said this arrangement was put in place by the previous Government. Minister of Telecommunication Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Government will consider the objections raised by SP leader.