NEW DELHI: Opposition parties hit out at the government on Monday over the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha MPs and are holding an “indefinite” protest on the Parliament premises against the move.
Eight opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha, including TMC leader Derek O’Brien and Sanjay Singh of AAP, were on Monday suspended for the remainder of the Monsoon session of Parliament for “unruly behaviour” during the passage of two farm bills, leading to protests and washing out of proceedings.
The government had moved a motion seeking the suspension of Derek O’Brien (TMC), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Rajeev Satav (Congress), K K Ragesh (CPM), Syed Nazir Hussain (Congress), Ripun Boren (Congress), Dola Sen (TMC) and Elamaram Kareem (CPM).
Here are the top developments:
Opposition MPs protesting against govt
The opposition MPs are holding an “indefinite” protest on the Parliament premises against the suspension of 8 members.
Carrying pillows and blankets at the protest site, the MPs said “we will not budge”.
“Suspension won’t silence us. We will stand with farmers in their fight. The (Rajya Sabha) Deputy chairman throttled parliamentary procedures yesterday,” said CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem, who is among those suspended.
Opposition parties like the Congress, CPI (M), Shiv Sena, JDS, TMC, CPI, and the Samajwadi Party are in the protest on the Parliament premises carrying placards with messages such as “Murder of Democracy”, “Death of Parliament” and “Shame, shame”.
Crores of farmers will benefit, says PM after govt hikes MSP of 6 rabi crops
PM Modi said that it was the privilege of the government to work for the welfare of our farmers. “In line with our ethos of taking farmer-friendly measures, the Cabinet has taken another historic decision to raise MSP. Crores of farmers will benefit from this,” he said.
The government earlier hiked the minimum price for buying six rabi crops, including wheat, by up to six per cent, as it sought to send a strong message to farmers on continuation of MSP-based procurement system.
Prasad slams opposition leaders for RS ruckus
The government accused opposition leaders of irresponsible conduct in the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the farm bills and said they violated rules by not vacating the House despite being suspended.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the conduct of opposition leaders in the Upper House of Parliament on Sunday was “shameful” and “irresponsible”.
“We had a clear majority in Rajya Sabha on farm bills,” he said, adding that 110 members supported the bills and a little over 70 opposed it.
Shiromani Akali Dal delegation meets President
A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal met President Ram Nath Kovid and requested him to not sign agriculture bills passed by the Rajya Sabha.
“A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal met the President and requested him not to sign on ‘anti-farmer’ bills that have been forcefully passed in Rajya Sabha. We requested him to send back the bills to the Parliament,” Badal told reporters.
Earlier, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from the Union Cabinet over these bills.
Congress to launch nationwide protest
Congress has said it will launch a nationwide agitation against the farm bills passed by Parliament and also initiate a campaign for collecting two crore signatures of farmers and the poor against these proposed legislations.
At a press conference after a meeting of the party’s senior leaders, K C Venugopal said a memorandum would be subsequently submitted to President.
Another Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said a series of press conferences will also be organised against the farm bills across the country.
‘Undignified’ conduct of opposition in RS
The heckling of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh in the House during the passage of farm bills has “hurt” Bihar’s pride, and people of the state will give a befitting reply to opposition parties for this, top leaders of the Bihar’s ruling BJP-led NDA said.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said whatever happened in Rajya Sabha on Sunday was very wrong and the more it is condemned, the less it would be.
Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said people of the state, where assembly polls will be held soon, will give a befitting reply over the opposition’s “undignified” behaviour in Rajya Sabha.
Farm bills need of 21st century: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the farm sector reform bills passed by Parliament were the need of 21st century India and again reassured farmers that the government purchase of their produce coupled with the minimum support price mechanism will continue.
Modi again mounted a strong defence of these measures, saying farmers will now have the freedom to sell their produce at a place and price of their choice.
Attacking critics, he said a “clique” of people exploited farmers for long as they remained in shackles of rules regulating the sale of their produce and stated that this needed to change, which his government has done.
10 central trade unions to support nation-wide farmers protest on Friday
As many as 10 central trade unions have announced their support to the nation-wide protest on September 25 by peasants and farm workers to oppose passage of two agri bills in Parliament, saying the BJP government should stop anti-farmers measures.
The joint platform of central trade unions and sectoral federations declares its unstinted support to the initiative of Joint Platform of Peasants and Agricultural Workers Organisations –the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee to hold countrywide protest and resistance on 25th September 2020, the central trade unions said in a joint statement.
The ten trade unions are NTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
Opposition parties seek meeting with President
A number of non-NDA parties wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind over the manner in which the government “pushed through its agenda” and urged him not to grant his assent to the proposed legislations.
According to sources, leaders of various political parties including the Congress, the Left parties, NCP, DMK, SP, Trinamool Congress and the RJD have in a memorandum to the President sought his intervention in the matter and asked him not to sign the bills.
The bills will become a law only after the President grants his assent to them.
Mamata calls suspension of RS MPs reflective of govt’s autocratic mindset
The TMC denounced the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha MPs, with its leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee calling the action reflective of the “autocratic mindset” of the government.
Accusing the BJP of killing democracy, the Trinamool Congress chief declared she will fight the “Fascist” government in Parliament and on streets.
“Suspension of the 8 MPs who fought to protect farmers interests is unfortunate & reflective of this autocratic Govts mindset that doesnt respect democratic norms & principles. We won’t bow down & we’ll fight this fascist Govt in Parliament & on the streets. #BJPKilledDemocracy,” she tweeted.
If it’s watershed moment, why farmers not celebrating: KTR
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president and Cabinet minister K T Rama Rao differed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that the passage of farm bills in Parliament is a ‘watershed moment’ for the agriculture sector.
“If the agriculture Bill is truly a watershed moment, why is no farmer celebrating and why are NDA allies resigning?,” Rama Rao asked in an apparent reference to Modi’s comment.
After the passage of the two Bills by the Rajya Sabha on Sunday, the Prime Minister had described it as a watershed moment.
Rama Rao, who is the minister for industry, information technology, municipal administration and urban development, took to Twitter on Monday, disputing Modi’s claim.
8 Rajya Sabha MPs suspended
Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu suspended several MPs who were accused of causing ruckus in Parliament.
The motion was moved by V Murlidharan, the MoS for parliamentary affairs.
Earlier, Naidu said that it’s a sad day for the democracy and “unfortunate” and “condemnable”, he rejected the no confidence motion against deputy chairman Harivansh Narain Singh citing rules.
Naidu defended the deputy chairman and said that he has gone on records of the house and deputy chairman has followed the rules.
(With agency inputs)
Eight opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha, including TMC leader Derek O’Brien and Sanjay Singh of AAP, were on Monday suspended for the remainder of the Monsoon session of Parliament for “unruly behaviour” during the passage of two farm bills, leading to protests and washing out of proceedings.
The government had moved a motion seeking the suspension of Derek O’Brien (TMC), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Rajeev Satav (Congress), K K Ragesh (CPM), Syed Nazir Hussain (Congress), Ripun Boren (Congress), Dola Sen (TMC) and Elamaram Kareem (CPM).
Here are the top developments:
Opposition MPs protesting against govt
The opposition MPs are holding an “indefinite” protest on the Parliament premises against the suspension of 8 members.
Carrying pillows and blankets at the protest site, the MPs said “we will not budge”.
“Suspension won’t silence us. We will stand with farmers in their fight. The (Rajya Sabha) Deputy chairman throttled parliamentary procedures yesterday,” said CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem, who is among those suspended.
Opposition parties like the Congress, CPI (M), Shiv Sena, JDS, TMC, CPI, and the Samajwadi Party are in the protest on the Parliament premises carrying placards with messages such as “Murder of Democracy”, “Death of Parliament” and “Shame, shame”.
Crores of farmers will benefit, says PM after govt hikes MSP of 6 rabi crops
PM Modi said that it was the privilege of the government to work for the welfare of our farmers. “In line with our ethos of taking farmer-friendly measures, the Cabinet has taken another historic decision to raise MSP. Crores of farmers will benefit from this,” he said.
The government earlier hiked the minimum price for buying six rabi crops, including wheat, by up to six per cent, as it sought to send a strong message to farmers on continuation of MSP-based procurement system.
Prasad slams opposition leaders for RS ruckus
The government accused opposition leaders of irresponsible conduct in the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the farm bills and said they violated rules by not vacating the House despite being suspended.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the conduct of opposition leaders in the Upper House of Parliament on Sunday was “shameful” and “irresponsible”.
“We had a clear majority in Rajya Sabha on farm bills,” he said, adding that 110 members supported the bills and a little over 70 opposed it.
Shiromani Akali Dal delegation meets President
A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal met President Ram Nath Kovid and requested him to not sign agriculture bills passed by the Rajya Sabha.
“A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal met the President and requested him not to sign on ‘anti-farmer’ bills that have been forcefully passed in Rajya Sabha. We requested him to send back the bills to the Parliament,” Badal told reporters.
Earlier, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from the Union Cabinet over these bills.
Congress to launch nationwide protest
Congress has said it will launch a nationwide agitation against the farm bills passed by Parliament and also initiate a campaign for collecting two crore signatures of farmers and the poor against these proposed legislations.
At a press conference after a meeting of the party’s senior leaders, K C Venugopal said a memorandum would be subsequently submitted to President.
Another Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said a series of press conferences will also be organised against the farm bills across the country.
‘Undignified’ conduct of opposition in RS
The heckling of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh in the House during the passage of farm bills has “hurt” Bihar’s pride, and people of the state will give a befitting reply to opposition parties for this, top leaders of the Bihar’s ruling BJP-led NDA said.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said whatever happened in Rajya Sabha on Sunday was very wrong and the more it is condemned, the less it would be.
Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said people of the state, where assembly polls will be held soon, will give a befitting reply over the opposition’s “undignified” behaviour in Rajya Sabha.
Farm bills need of 21st century: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the farm sector reform bills passed by Parliament were the need of 21st century India and again reassured farmers that the government purchase of their produce coupled with the minimum support price mechanism will continue.
Modi again mounted a strong defence of these measures, saying farmers will now have the freedom to sell their produce at a place and price of their choice.
Attacking critics, he said a “clique” of people exploited farmers for long as they remained in shackles of rules regulating the sale of their produce and stated that this needed to change, which his government has done.
10 central trade unions to support nation-wide farmers protest on Friday
As many as 10 central trade unions have announced their support to the nation-wide protest on September 25 by peasants and farm workers to oppose passage of two agri bills in Parliament, saying the BJP government should stop anti-farmers measures.
The joint platform of central trade unions and sectoral federations declares its unstinted support to the initiative of Joint Platform of Peasants and Agricultural Workers Organisations –the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee to hold countrywide protest and resistance on 25th September 2020, the central trade unions said in a joint statement.
The ten trade unions are NTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
Opposition parties seek meeting with President
A number of non-NDA parties wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind over the manner in which the government “pushed through its agenda” and urged him not to grant his assent to the proposed legislations.
According to sources, leaders of various political parties including the Congress, the Left parties, NCP, DMK, SP, Trinamool Congress and the RJD have in a memorandum to the President sought his intervention in the matter and asked him not to sign the bills.
The bills will become a law only after the President grants his assent to them.
Mamata calls suspension of RS MPs reflective of govt’s autocratic mindset
The TMC denounced the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha MPs, with its leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee calling the action reflective of the “autocratic mindset” of the government.
Accusing the BJP of killing democracy, the Trinamool Congress chief declared she will fight the “Fascist” government in Parliament and on streets.
“Suspension of the 8 MPs who fought to protect farmers interests is unfortunate & reflective of this autocratic Govts mindset that doesnt respect democratic norms & principles. We won’t bow down & we’ll fight this fascist Govt in Parliament & on the streets. #BJPKilledDemocracy,” she tweeted.
If it’s watershed moment, why farmers not celebrating: KTR
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president and Cabinet minister K T Rama Rao differed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that the passage of farm bills in Parliament is a ‘watershed moment’ for the agriculture sector.
“If the agriculture Bill is truly a watershed moment, why is no farmer celebrating and why are NDA allies resigning?,” Rama Rao asked in an apparent reference to Modi’s comment.
After the passage of the two Bills by the Rajya Sabha on Sunday, the Prime Minister had described it as a watershed moment.
Rama Rao, who is the minister for industry, information technology, municipal administration and urban development, took to Twitter on Monday, disputing Modi’s claim.
8 Rajya Sabha MPs suspended
Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu suspended several MPs who were accused of causing ruckus in Parliament.
The motion was moved by V Murlidharan, the MoS for parliamentary affairs.
Earlier, Naidu said that it’s a sad day for the democracy and “unfortunate” and “condemnable”, he rejected the no confidence motion against deputy chairman Harivansh Narain Singh citing rules.
Naidu defended the deputy chairman and said that he has gone on records of the house and deputy chairman has followed the rules.
(With agency inputs)
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