New Delhi: A decision on the suspension of eight Opposition Members of Parliament could be reversed soon, according to people familiar with the matter, after a meeting was convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. As reported by Hindustan Times, sources indicated that the suspension may be withdrawn as early as Tuesday which could allow the lawmakers to return to Parliament before the end of the ongoing Budget Session.
The eight MPs were suspended after a resolution was passed by the Lok Sabha during the first phase of the Budget Session. The action was taken over what the government described as unruly behaviour in the House. The suspended lawmakers include Manickam Tagore, Kiran Reddy, Prashant Padole, Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Gurjeet Aujla, S Venkat Raman and Dean Kuriakose.
Out of them, seven are Congress MPs and one CPI (M) member over unruly behaviour. They were suspended for the entire duration of the Budget Session after being accused of disrupting proceedings in the Lok Sabha. The move had triggered criticism from Opposition parties, who argued that the punishment was too harsh.
According to the sources, in the meeting called by Lok Sabha speaker, they all agreed that no member would walk towards the other side and would restrict themselves in the Well of the House and that members would not cross over to the treasury benches.
Members also agreed on a consensus to avoid tearing papers and throwing them towards the Chair, climbing on chairs and tables, and using AI-generated posters, sources said. Opposition parties have been continuously urging Birla to revoke the suspensions of the MPs.
Why were MPs suspended?
The resolution for the MP’s suspension was moved by Union Parliamentary Minister Kiren Rijiju last month. Kiren Rijiju said the disruption began when several MPs threw papers in the House during an uproar. The protest started after the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, tried to quote from a media report that referred to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief M. M. Naravane.
Soon after, Congress MPs led by Rahul Gandhi held a protest outside the Parliament building, raising objections to the suspension of their party colleagues from the Lok Sabha. The demonstration took place while the Lower House continued to witness repeated disruptions during the proceedings.
Looking ahead…
The current Budget Session of Parliament is scheduled to conclude on April 2. If the suspension is withdrawn, the MPs will be able to participate in the remaining proceedings of the session. The possible reversal of the decision signals an attempt to ease tensions between the government and the Opposition as Parliament continues its legislative work.