Highlights:
A number of opposition parties led by Congress walked out of both houses
They also requested to revoke the suspension of eight members
The MPs were suspended over chaos, “unruly behaviour” in Rajya Sabha
Speaking about the decision to walk out, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad declared that until the suspension of the eight MPs is revoked, and their three demands to strengthen the minimum support price (MSP) structure are not met, his party will not participate in any further proceedings.
Azad made pointed demands on Tuesday morning. He said that a Bill should be brought in to prevent private players from procuring food grains below the MSP set by the government on the basis of the formula recommended by the M.S. Swaminathan Committee report. He also demanded that the government or the Food Corporation of India (FCI) should ensure that crops are procured from the farmers at the fixed MSP.
The suspended members continued their sit-in on the lawns of the parliament complex till about 11.30 AM after spending the night there in protest. They were suspended over chaos and “unruly behaviour” in the Rajya Sabha on Sunday when two controversial farm bills were passed.
The Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman is at the heart of the protests; the no-confidence motion against him was rejected yesterday by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu.
Meanwhile, the government said it will consider revoking the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha members only after they apologise for their behaviour in the Upper House, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.
Among the parties that boycotted the proceedings of the House included the Congress, which was the among the first to walk out, followed by members of the CPI-M, CPI, TMC, NCP, SP, Shiv Sena, RJD, DMK, TRS and AAP (in RS).
Till late night, the protesting MPs raised slogans and sang songs. The MPs spent the night on the lawns of Parliament complex before joining other opposition leaders to walk to President Ram Nath Kovind’s official residence to bring his attention to the issue.
In the morning, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh met the suspended MPs and offered them tea. However, the protesting lawmakers reportedly refused to have tea with him.
