Suspend me, but please discuss Delhi riots, says Gaurav Gogoi of Congress

GUWAHATI: After seven MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha for creating ruckus inside, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress, who was one of the MPs suspended, sent out the following tweet.

https://twitter.com/GauravGogoiAsm/status/1235518875258638336

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday suspended Gaurav Gogoi and six other Congress MPs for the rest of the Budget session for creating ruckus in the House and snatching papers from the Speaker’s table. The other Congress members who have been suspended are TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakosh, Unnithan, Gurpreet Singh Aujala, Benny Behanan and Manikkam Tagore. It has been learnt that the Speaker has also accepted a recommendation of the government for the setting up a committee to examine the conduct of the suspended MPs for their possible disqualification.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that snatching papers from the Speaker’s table is utmost disrespect to the Chair. “The membership of those who snatched papers from the Chair should be terminated,” Joshi said.

The Congress, on the other hand, vehemently criticized the Speaker for such a decision.

Reacting to the suspension of its members, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary said: “We did nothing wrong”.

“This is a decision of the government, not of the Speaker. What kind of dictatorship is this?” posed Chaudhary.

He said that the suspension was an attempt to weaken the Congress. “The government fears discussions on the Delhi riots in Parliament,” said Choudhary.

Ever since the Parliament resumed for the Budget session on March 2, Congress MPs have been disrupting proceedings with slogans demanding the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah over the riots that shook several parts of north-east Delhi from February 23 to 25.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla warned all MPs that those found creating ruckus and disrupting the House proceeding will be suspended for the whole session.

Birla’s remarks came during a meeting with floor leaders of all the parties here in his chamber, said sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

He said that “strict action” will be taken against the MPs who come near the Speaker’s podium and disrupt the House proceedings.

“Those trooping in the well during House proceedings and trying to disrupt it by creating ruckus will be suspended for the entire session.”

The Speaker warned MPs not to show placards in the House. “It is not good to bring placard in the House. Opposition parties should clarify whether placards should be brought or not. House runs with everyone’s consent,” Birla said.

The Speaker has been constantly trying to run the Lok Sabha smoothly. He has been requesting all the members of the House to cooperate in running the House.

Also Read: Prashant Kishor’s comment urging no NRC in Congress ruled states, snubbed by Gaurav Gogoi

Also Watch: Coal laden truck overturns at Tinsukia-Makum bypass road, Driver injured