Several Opposition MPs requested suspension, says Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi

A day after Parliament was adjourned sine die, the government maintained that the Opposition MPs invited action against them by disrupting the proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha

A day after Parliament was adjourned sine die, the government on December 22 maintained that the Opposition MPs invited action against them by disrupting the proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. A record 146 Opposition MPs were suspended from both Houses during the Winter Session that concluded on Thursday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters that the government was not keen to suspend MPs but several Opposition members requested for suspension for political mileage after action was taken against some of their colleagues.

Mr. Joshi said such steps showed the character of the Congress. “We did not want to suspend MPs, we requested them. But after we suspended a few MPs, several of their colleagues came with requests to us seeking suspension. This is the level the Congress stoops to,” Mr. Joshi said.

He was addressing the customary press conference after the conclusion of the Winter Session.

Mr. Joshi said he, along with Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and other floor managers of the government, had reached out to the Opposition MPs to ensure smooth functioning of the House.

Mr. Meghwal, who was also present at the briefing, said the decision of the Opposition members to storm into the well of the House was taken much later after the breach of security in the Lok Sabha and that the Opposition was earlier ready to discuss the matter in Parliament.

“They told us that they will also indulge in indiscipline and wanted us to suspend them,” Mr. Joshi added.