AMN /
Members belonging to opposition parties including Congress, NCP, Trinamool Congress, Left Parties, JD-U, RJD and Aam Admi party boycotted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha today.
Leaders of these parties have extended solidarity with the suspended Congress members and announced yesterday that they will boycott the proceedings for the rest of the week. However, Biju Janata dal members took part in the proceedings.
Meanwhile Congress members from both the Houses of Parliament today held a noisy protest in Parliament House premises against the suspension of its 25 members from the Lok Sabha yesterday. The agitating members, holding the black flags alleged that the Speaker took the decision after being pressurized from the government.
Talking to media outside Parliament, Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi said, suspension of her party members in the Lok Sabha is undemocratic and murder of democracy. She said responsibility to run Parliament lies with the government and not with opposition.
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that Congress always wanted that both the Houses should run. But at the same time, the government should consider the demand of the resignations of the top BJP leaders.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said, there is clear evidence against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for extending help to former IPL chief Lalit Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Vyapam scam. Mr Gandhi said, his party will continue to demand the resignations till they resign.
Top Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Ghulam Nabi Azad among others participated in the protest.
Members belonging to other opposition parties like Samajwadi Party and Nationalist Congress Party also joined the protest.