Taking a strong stand, Government on Tuesday rejected Opposition parties’ demand to pass a resolution on the Gaza issue in parliament. Responding to demand raised by members of Congress, TMC, left, Muslim league, MIM, PDP and Samajwadi Party, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu in lok Sabha said the domestic politics can not be allowed to influence foreign policy and international affairs.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed “very short” discussion after the House was adjourned twice on the demand of the Opposition parties seeking a resolution condemning “Israel attacks on the innocent Palestinians.”In their brief speeches by Shashi Tharoor, E Ahamed, Saugata Roy, Mehbooba Mufti and Mulayam Singh Yadav and P Karunakaran, demanded passing a resolution condemning Israel’s attacks in Gaza. Speaker told the agitating MPs that the Government can not be compelled to reply or make statement on each and every issues in the world.
Responding to this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, “I have noted the views expressed by the members.” Ruling out any resolution, he said, “domestic politics should not affect our foreign policy.”He said the matter is “highly sensitive” concerning foreign policy and “any move by the Government should not have any implications”. This led to uproar, with members questioning what implications Naidu was talking about.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan told the members that they all had expressed their views and the Government cannot be pressed for a statement.Expressing unhappiness over the Government response, members of Congress, under directions of Sonia Gandhi, staged a walkout. left, TMC and PDP members also walked out.