Government insulting Parliament: Opposition

The Congress accused the government of insulting Parliament by not holding a discussion on the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition and instead bringing Bills in the House.

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the government should first hold a discussion on the no-trust motion. He also urged the ruling party MPs to visit violence-hit Manipur and understand for themselves the situation there.

Amid the impasse in Parliament over the violence in Manipur and the Opposition’s demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House, Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that he was ready to respond to a discussion in Parliament on the matter.

The Opposition turned down the offer following which they moved the no-confidence motion as a last bid to make the Prime Minister speak on the Manipur violence issue in Parliament.

“We have brought a no-confidence motion against the government and a discussion on it should be started in Lok Sabha. We have no objection to discussing any other government business in the House, but discussion on the no-confidence motion should start first,” Mr. Chowdhury told reporters.

“The no-confidence motion has its own importance and if the government is bringing all kinds of bills and policies, I feel it is insulting Parliament. There has never been a situation where the no-confidence motion has been set aside and all kinds of other discussions are happening,” he said.

The Congress MP accused the government of undermining the no-confidence motion and trying to divert people’s attention by raking up other issues.

“We want the government brings all the bills, but at least start the discussion on the no-confidence motion. Will the heavens fall or will an earthquake occur,” he said.

Asked if any meeting of the business advisory committee has been called, he replied in the negative.