‘Govt Insulting Parliament By Not Discussing No-Trust Motion In LS’

FILE PHOTO: A view of the Parliament building. Jairam Ramesh continued his recent sharp criticism of PM Narendra Modi, focusing on his limited participation in Parliament

On Monday, the Congress accused the government of insulting Parliament by its refusal to hold a discussion on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition and bringing bills in the House instead.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, said that first, the government should hold a discussion on the no-trust motion. He additionally urged MPs from the ruling party to visit Manipur, hit by violence and understand the situation for themselves over there.

Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that he was ready to respond to a discussion on the matter in Parliament. This is amid the impasse in Parliament over Manipur violence and the demand of the opposition that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House over it.

However, the offer has been turned down by the opposition; it instead moved the no-confidence motion. It is being seen as a last bid to make the Prime Minister speak on the Manipur violence issue in Parliament.

Chowdhury, speaking to reporters, said, “We have no objection to discussing any other government business in the House, but discussion on the no-confidence motion should start first. We have brought a no-confidence motion against the government and a discussion on it should be started in Lok Sabha.”

“There has never been a situation where the no-confidence motion has been set aside and all kinds of other discussions are happening. The no-confidence motion has its own importance and if the government is bringing all kinds of bills and policies, I feel it is insulting Parliament,” he added.

The Congress MP accused the government of trying to divert people’s attention by raking up other issues and undermining the no-confidence motion. “We don’t want the government brings all the bills, but at least start the discussion on the no-confidence motion. Will the heavens fall or will an earthquake occur?” he asked.

Chowdhury replied in the negative when asked if any meeting of the business advisory committee has been called. Chowdhury was part of the delegation of MPs of the opposition alliance INDIA, who had travelled to Manipur to assess the situation in the violence-hit state. Describing the situation as “grave”, Chowdhury said, “If the ruling party MPs go there and see the situation for themselves, they will not make casual statements.”