In a contentious move, Lok Sabha suspended 49 opposition members, including prominent figures like Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, and Farooq Abdullah, for the remainder of the winter session. The suspension, attributed to ‘serious misconduct,’ follows disruptions in the House with opposition members raising slogans and displaying placards.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the motion for suspension after repeated adjournments. This brings the total number of opposition MPs suspended during the winter session to 141.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the mass suspensions, alleging a “complete purge” aimed at pushing through “draconian bills” without meaningful debate. He expressed concern over the lack of accountability for the BJP MP involved in the recent breach of Parliament security.
Reacting to the situation, TMC leader Mahua Moitra quipped, “Next Adani Annual Shareholders meeting to be held in Lok Sabha Chamber.”
The government’s urgency to pass new criminal code bills adds tension to the proceedings, with expectations of their approval on Tuesday or Wednesday.
In response to the suspensions, AAP Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku highlighted, “Those speaking the truth and asking questions have been suspended from the House today. The public is seeing the kind of dirty politics happening in the Parliament.”
