Cong, left press for resolution condemning ‘objectionable remarks’ by Ministers, MPs
Parliament deadlock over the controversial remarks by Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti may continue as there has been no contact between the Opposition and the Government over the weekend to end the impasse. When contacted by The Pioneer, both Congress and left leaders asserted they would persist with their protest in both Houses unless the Government agreed to bring a resolution condemning such speeches.
Chief Whip of the Congress in Rajya Sabha Satyavrat Chaturvedi said that the entire Opposition is demanding that there should be a resolution to condemn such remarks and speeches by any members of the Council of Ministers or members of Parliament in future.
“If the Government brings a resolution, we will allow the proceedings. We have taken such a step in the interest of the nation and not vested interest of any political party. In order to continue with normal business, the demand of the Opposition should be met,” Chaturvedi told The Pioneer.
When asked in case the Government refused to bring the resolution as demanded, the Congress leader said they would discuss the situation with all other Opposition members who are signatory to the joint statement issued on Friday.
“If the Government is adamant, then Opposition members would sit together to decide on the future strategy. Now the deadlock comes from the part of Treasury benches and not the Opposition,” Chaturvedi said.
CPI (M) member in the Upper House D Raja said that it is not correct to say that the Opposition was stalling the proceedings of the House. “It is the duty and responsibility of the Government to run the House not ours. How can they ignore the consensus demand of the entire Opposition on a subject which is highly condemnable and where the constitutional norms have been violated,” Raja said.
In the lok Sabha too, the Opposition led by the Congress is likely to meet Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Monday to complain that the members of Opposition including leader of the largest Opposition party Mallikarjun Kharge were not being allowed to speak. The party is of the view that if the Government failed to acknowledged their concerns they would continue with walkouts in the lower House too.
Kharge sought to clarify that the Opposition had nothing against any individual or her background but was taking a stand against the increasing instances of Ministers making objectionable statements outside the House.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and a day earlier in the Rajya Sabha urged the members to put aside the issues of remarks made by Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and forgive her, nine Opposition parties issued a joint statement urging the Government to accept a joint resolution in the Rajya Sabha condemning attempts to “outrage our Constitution by making inflammatory speeches aimed at dividing the socio-cultural mosaic” of the country.
Besides the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, TMC, Janata Dal (United), BSP, CPI (M), DMK, CPI and the NCP are signatories to the joint statement which together during the last week stalled the proceedings of the Houses leading to several adjournments and almost complete washout of the Zero and Question Hour.
last week too the Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party chaired by Sonia Gandhi had decided to go on the offensive on issues like pre-poll promises, controversial remarks by Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Naxal attacks amongst various issues affecting the day to day life of the common man. The party had also brought out a booklet on the U-turns of the Government and sat on a dharna in the Parliament premises led by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.