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MPs’ Suspension: RS adjourned twice, decision likely today
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 11
As a united Opposition came together in the Rajya Sabha today to force two quick adjournments. seeking revocation of suspension of seven members physically evicted from the House on Tuesday during debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill, late evening reports said that a solution to the standoff could be expected by tomorrow.

Although the ruling Congress said in the house that those showing disrespect to Chair should express regret before such a move is initiated, reports said that behind the scenes efforts were underway to work out a solution.

This was also evident from the assurance given by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal in the Lok Sabha after RJD member Raghuvansh Prasad Singh vociferously protested against the members being kept out of the Upper House. "What about the seven members who have been thrown out of the Rajya Sabha?" Singh asked, soon after Leader of the House, Pranab Mukherjee, made a statement that an agreement had been reached on the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha. "They are on hunger strike," said Shailendra Kumar (SP). This prompted Bansal to assure the Lok Sabha that the matter was under discussion between the suspended members and the government and a solution would be arrived at.

As soon as the house met for the day, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the House had witnessed some unfortunate scenes and disrespect was also shown to the chair. He regretted the incident on the Opposition’s behalf.

“Some MPs were abstaining from the proceedings because their colleagues have been suspended. We urge the government to bring a motion to revoke the suspension,” Jaitley said.

However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the suspended MPs should express their regrets to create a congenial atmosphere in the house. Congress MP Jayanti Natarajan also said “they should apologise”.

The Opposition created a ruckus over this and chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house for 15 minutes, saying he found the conduct of the suspended MPs “reprehensible and disgusting”. When the House re-assembled at 11.30 am, the Opposition MPs were again on their feet over the issue and Ansari adjourned the house till noon.

Yesterday, the BJP and Left had supported the demand of the SP and RJD for withdrawing the suspension of seven members - Kamal Akhtar, Veerpal Singh Yadav, Amir Alam Khan and Nand Kishore Yadav (all SP), Ejaz Ali (JD-U), Sabir Ali (LJP) and Subhash Prasad Yadav (RJD).