NEW DELHI, July 19: Opposition parties on Sunday staged a walkout from the all-party meeting convened ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, protesting the government’s decision to invite the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI), alleging it violated parliamentary norms and democratic principles.
Leaders of the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), National Conference, Left parties and Shiv Sena (UBT) walked out shortly after the meeting began, objecting to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s invitation to the NCPI.
TMC leader Mahua Moitra said the opposition unanimously protested because the merger of 20 rebel TMC MPs into the “so-called NCPI” had not been approved by the Lok Sabha Speaker and disqualification petitions against them were still pending.
“The strength of the All India Trinamool Congress is officially shown as 28 members. These 20 rebel MPs have neither been recognised as a separate bloc nor has their merger been approved. On what basis were they invited to the all-party meeting?” Moitra asked, adding that the opposition’s walkout was a symbolic protest against the move.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the party walked out to uphold the Constitution, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant questioned the legal basis for recognising the rebel MPs.
“The affiliation granted to them has no basis in law. We have protested against it and walked out,” Sawant said.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP N.D. Gupta alleged that his party had faced a similar situation, claiming seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs had been “hijacked” while petitions challenging the matter remained pending.
He accused the government of undermining democratic norms by granting separate recognition despite unresolved proceedings.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to be held from July 20 to August 13. (Agencies)
