On Monday, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were suspended shortly after the start of the second phase of the Budget Session due to opposition MPs’ protests. The Rajya Sabha was then adjourned till 2 p.m. and the Lok Sabha till 4 p.m.
They were howling slogans about Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification and the Adani Group controversy. To plan their course of action for the day, the opposition MPs met earlier today in the LoP Rajya Sabha room with Mallikarjun Kharge, the head of the Congress.
The opposition parties which participated in the meeting include DMK, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), Bharat Rashtra Samithi, CPI(M), RJD, Nationalist Congress Party, CPI, IUML, MDMK, Kerala Congress, TMC, RSP, AAP, J-K NC and Shiv Sena.
Trinamool Congress MPs also participated in the meeting which came as a huge development following Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP from Lok Sabha.
TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been a critic of the BJP, supported Rahul Gandhi.
TMC’s decision to attend the meeting was hailed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who said that everyone who steps forward to defend democracy is welcomed.
“I thank everyone who supported this. That is why, I thanked everyone yesterday and I thank them today as well. We welcome anyone who comes forward to protect democracy and Constitution and safeguard the people. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the people who support us,” Kharge said.
In the mean time, the opposition MPs were seen flaunting black clothes in protest against the Centre over the Adani issue and Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification.
The Congress MPs including Rahul Gandhi, earlier in August last year had worn black clothes and staged a protest against the Centre against price rise, GST hike on essential items and unemployment. As a part of their protest against the issues, they had headed towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan.