AAP leader Sanjay Singh suspended for session from RS on Manipur protests

To counter the Opposition demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement and discussion on the Manipur situation, BJP members had given notices for debating the law and order issues in Opposition ruled states.

Dhankhar announced minutes after the House assembled on Monday that he has received 11 notices under Rule 176 for holding a Short Duration Discussion on the Manipur violence, law and order situation and attacks on women in Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and other Opposition ruled states. The Chairman further said 27 members had also given notices under Rule 267 for suspension of listed business to discuss the above issues.

Recalling his ruling on July 20, the Chairman said he has accepted the notices under Rule 176 for a Short Duration Discussion on the Manipur situation. This led to Opposition protests and adjournment of the House within minutes.

When the House met again at noon, the protests began again with Sanjay Singh walking into the Well, raising slogans and displaying a placard. Dhankhar warned Singh that he will name him. As the protests continued, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion to suspend Singh for the rest of the monsoon session. The motion was passed by a voice vote and the House adjourned till 2PM and then till 3PM.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked Singh to leave the House as he had been suspended for the remainder of the session while the Opposition members rose in their places in his support. The House was adjourned for the day.Singh and other Opposition members gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament House complex and sat on a dharna.Earlier, Dhankhar had called a meeting of floor leaders of various parties of the Upper House to find a way out for smooth conduct of the House. No truce could be reached.

Later, in a second meeting of floor leaders after Singh’s suspension, Dhankhar put the condition that only floor leaders of parties having five or more members could attend. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge did not attend. During the meeting he also named Raghav Chadha (AAP), Shantanu Sen (TMC) and Binoy Vishwam (CPI) who were present in the meeting and said they should leave as they are not floor leaders of their respective parties. This irked all Opposition members and they walked out of the meeting, according to sources present in the meeting.

Home Minister Amit Shah met Prime Minister Modi earlier in the day to discuss the Parliament deadlock, sources said. The Government has indicated to the Opposition that Shah can make a statement on the prevailing situation in Manipur and a Short Duration Discussion be held. The Opposition is adamant that the PM make a statement. Government also plans to begin its legislative business from Tuesday onwards even as the Opposition protests continue.