Congressional leaders attacked Rajya Sabha’s vice president for his conduct.
New Delhi:
On Sunday, Congress questioned the actions of Rajya Sabha’s vice president, accusing him of apparently colluding with the ruling BJP and denying members’ fundamental rights to split votes, after parliament passed two controversial farm bills in the middle of an unprecedented uproar.
In a penetrating attack on Rajya Sabha Vice President Harivansh Singh after the stormy proceedings on Sunday, Congress said it passed the bills in a hurry without letting the opposition voice their opinion and without allowing them a split vote to suggested amendments.
Around 47 members of opposition parties filed a motion of no confidence against Singh, who got the two bills passed by voice vote, even as some lawmakers raised slogans, tore documents and tried to grab the speaker’s microphone in Rajya Sabha.
“Without taking the sense of the house, in a second the vice president went to approve this bill. We did not see such a practice in any house until now. We did not understand such a movement of the vice president …” The fundamental right of a member has been restricted, “Rajya Sabha member of Congress KC Venugopal told a news conference Sunday night.
“Surprisingly, we witnessed the BJP members going to the vice president and whispering with the vice president. Not with the parliamentary minister. But apart from him, the BJP leader, Bhupendra Yadav, was also whispering in the vice president’s ear. What conspiracy been made? “he said.
“This parliamentary democratic procedure is quite unacceptable. In parliamentary democracy, the government has the way, we agree. But the opposition has the floor. It is not listening to the voice of the opposition,” Venugopal added.
A motion of no confidence against the vice president is the first in parliament and the convention is that Singh should not preside over the chamber sessions until the matter is resolved. Opposition parties also allege that he “filled the house with security personnel deliberately designed to intimidate and outnumber members of the opposition.”
Venugopal also condemned the government. “I witnessed the press conference of the Honorable Rajnath Singh and five of the ministers. They are fully justifying the vice president’s actions and attitudes. That was also very regrettable,” he said.
“The treasure bank came today with a set mind. They are not ready to listen to the agony of the farmer. They are not ready to listen to the voice of the opposition. They are not ready to have a split on the farmers bill as well. After naturally the members got angry, “added the leader of Congress.
The new farm bills have faced strong protests from the opposition and farmers, especially in northern India, who say they will hurt their profits. However, the government maintains that they will make it easier for farmers to sell their produce directly to large buyers.
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