Cong boycott proceedings in LS over ‘political crisis’ in Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi: The Opposition Congress boycotted the proceedings after Question Hour in the Lok Sabha on Sunday to protest against the denial of permission for raising the issue of ‘political crisis’ in Arunachal Pradesh.
The issue marred the proceedings for the second successive day as the party Members yesterday also had protested against the role of the Governor in the political development in the North eastern bordering state and boycotted the business in the post lunch session.
As soon as the House met for the day, the Opposition Members demanded suspension of Question Hour through notice of adjournment to discuss the “new developments” in the state but, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan disallowed, saying ”this is not urgent as the issue had already been raised in the House, every day it can not go this way”.
However, Congress leader M.Mallikarjun Kharge pleaded, “We don’t intend repetitions, some more developments have taken place in the situation and we want to take up those for discussion.”
The Chair did not relent and the Congress Members marched into the Well raising slogans against the Modi government and the state Governor.
They demanded re-calling of the Governor.
Ms Mahajan said, “This is not the way. The House can neither be made to run by sloganeering and trooping into the Well nor can an issue be dictated or decided that way. The House is to be run as per the norms and rules of the business that are framed collectively by the Members themselves. Moreover, the matter is in court now.”
Even if you want to raise the issue, please, give notice in a prescribed manner for the consideration, she said.
Speaker’s words did not evoke any response as the protesting Members continued with the slogans.
This forced the Chair to conduct Question Hour in the din.
After the Question Hour, Mr Kharge again tried to make his point, the slogan raising Members also returned to their seats to facilitate their leader to speak, but the Speaker did not grant him permission.
Unhappy over the Speaker’s ruling, the Opposition Mermbers walked out, boycotting the proceedings for the rest of the day. (UNI)