The floor leaders of the opposition’s INDIA bloc convened on Monday before the 11th day of the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament began. Meeting in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, the members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance deliberated on a plan to corner the Centre in both houses. Prominent figures such as Farooq Abdullah, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Jairam Ramesh, and Ramgopal Yadav were present at the meeting. Since two people carrying gas canisters leaped into the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery, causing panic inside the House, the opposition members are requesting a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah in the House.
Hitting out at the BJP-led central government over the massive security breach, the Congress President said that the BJP leaders are not ready to let the House function.
“It is a serious issue and the government should pay attention to it. We are repeatedly saying in Parliament that the Union Home Minister should come to the House and give a statement but he does not want to come. They (BJP) are not ready to let the House function. This is not a good thing for democracy but there is no point in talking to people who do not believe in democracy,” Kharge told.
The INDIA bloc is anticipated to maintain the pressure on the matter for a few days. The bloc suffered a setback when its 14 MPs—13 in the Lok Sabha and 1 in the Rajya Sabha—were suspended for the balance of the Winter Session for causing a disturbance inside their respective Houses while demanding Shah’s statement.