The Lok Sabha on Thursday suspended Gaurav Gogoi and six other Congress MPs for the rest of the budget session for creating ruckus in the House and snatching papers from the speaker’s table.
It is learnt that the speaker has also accepted a recommendation of the government for setting up a committee and examine the conduct of the suspended MPs for possible disqualification.
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As soon as the House met at 3 pm following an adjournment, Meenakshi Lekhi, who was presiding the House, named all the seven Congress MPs.
As per rules, once the speaker mention names, he or she cannot attend the House for that day.
Union parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi then moved a motion to suspend these members from the House for the remaining period of the Budget session.
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The motion was passed by a voice vote amid protests by opposition members.
It is alleged that Congress MPs were creating ruckus in parliament for the last three days over a discussion on Delhi violence.
Joshi said that snatching papers from the speaker’s table is utmost disrespect to the Chair.
“Those who snatched papers from the Chair, their membership should be terminated,” Joshi said.
The suspended members include Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Benny Behananm Manickam Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla.
The second half of the budget session, which started on Monday, ends on April 3.
Congress on the other hand vehemently criticised the suspension.
“This is a government decision, not a decision by the speaker. What kind of dictatorship is this?” said Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chaudhury.
He said the suspension was an attempt to weaken Congress.
“The government fears discussion on Delhi riots in Parliament,” said Choudhury.