Lok Sabha proceedings continue amid sloganeering; Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary suspended for day

NEW DELHI: A different approach to Opposition’s protests by the government and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan saw question hour, extended zero hour and introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday amid sloganeering, but the ‘wearout-the-Opposition’ plot hit a snag before proceedings ended.

The BJP’s attempt to move a motion for suspension of Congress member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary — for banging on the Speaker’s podium — triggered a larger Opposition unity, forcing the ruling side to withdraw its motion and prompting the Speaker to settle for a token one-day suspension of the MP, minutes before the Opposition forced adjournment of the House for the day.

The dramatic turn of events happened in the post-lunch session when Chowdhary moved aggressively to the Speaker’s podium and banged on it while shouting, “you are murdering democracy.” His objectionable way of expressing disproval of the Speaker carrying on with the proceedings despite persistent sloganeering by the Congress, SP, TRS, RJD, Left and NCP members saw a visibly angry Mahajan adjourning the House, even as BJP MPs started protesting against Chowdhary’s conduct.

Incidentally, the Lok Sabha TV artfully cut out the protest, while showing the proceedings.

As the House re-assembled at 4 pm, the Speaker read out a statement condemning the Congress MP’s conduct and ‘named’ him. Soon BJP’s Arjun Meghwal moved a motion, demanding Chowdhary’s suspension for the rest of the session.

This prompted a larger Opposition resistance. Such was the mood that even TMC and CPM — sworn enemies of Chowdhary, who is also the West Bengal PCC chief — appealed to the Speaker not to be harsh on him.

Parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu then recalled how MPs belonging to YSR Congress and TDP were suspended from the House before the Telangana bill was passed in the previous Lok Sabha.

Chowdhary was asked to apologise, and he did it with a flair: “Speaker’s authority on the House is like the Pope’s authority on Vatican,” while offering an “unconditional apology.” Soon, the Speaker clarified he would be suspended only for the day, prompting Meghwal to withdraw his motion.