Parliament inauguration: JD(U) slams RS Dy Chairman’s presence

Neeraj Kumar used some strong words against the Deputy Chairman and said that “even your Chairman, the Honourable Vice President, was not present”.

“The party had sent you to the Rajya Sabha in recognition of your contributions to journalism. But when a dark chapter in the history of parliamentary democracy in the country, you traded intellectual integrity for your high office”, the JD(U) spokesperson said.

The criticism of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman came as 21 Opposition parties stayed away from the inauguration of the new Parliament voicing their objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new building. The Opposition parties opined that as the head of the Parliament, the President should get the honor of inauguration.

The JD(U) spokesperson even mentioned the possible action against the leader for going against the party’s decision.

“It is for the top leadership to decide what action to take in view of your participation despite the party having decided to boycott. But future generations will what to make of your action that was unbecoming of a person of your stature,” Neeraj Kumar added.

In 2018, Harivansh Narayan Singh became the third non-Congress MP in the history of India to be appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Then, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) was part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The Opposition leaders also criticized how the wrestlers were treated on the streets of the national capital, on the day of the inauguration of the new Parliament. Delhi Police clamped down on the wrestler’s protest and detained internationally acclaimed wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia.

(With agency inputs)

Updated: 29 May 2023, 04:57 PM IST