Farmers Movement Archive

Govt. refuses poll Bill scrutiny

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, amid vociferous protests and a walkout by the Opposition. CPI(M) member John Brittas and DMK member Tiruchi Siva moved a motion to send the legislation for further parliamentary scrutiny, but it was defeated by voice vote. Mr. Brittas pressed for a division, but Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected the demand, saying the division cannot take place when the Opposition members were protesting in the Well of the House. Ignoring the Opposition slogans, Mr. Harivansh went ahead with the procedure to pass the Bill. It was at this point, the Congress and the majority of the Opposition walked out. However, the Trinamool Congress MPs stayed back. Trinamool floor leader Derek O’ Brien, moving a point of order, said, “Please understand we have all the regard for the Chair and the rules. But you are doing the same thing as you did with the three farm Bills.” He flicked the rulebook towards the reporters’ table in front of the Chair before walking out of the House. Even if voting had taken place, the Opposition did not have the requisite numbers. Even before the debate on the Bill started, Mr. O’Brien accused the government of “manufacturing majority” by suspending 12 Opposition MPs. Mr. O’Brien, who has been suspended for the remainder of the session, is the 13th Opposition MP to be suspended. CPI’s Binoy Viswam attacked the government over Mr. O’Brien’s suspension. “They began the session by suspending 12 of us. They close the session by suspending one more. What do they think about Parliament? Another silly playground for them? BJP is trying to ridicule Parliament by doing whatever the modern autocratic monarchs want to impose. Shame on them,” he tweeted.

The Hindu

2021-12-22

New Delhi