Congress MPs not allowed to enter Parliament, got delayed by 20 minutes for the meeting

Amid the stormy beginning of the winter session of Parliament, it has come to the fore that MPs belonging to the main Opposition party, Congress were not allowed to reach Parliament in time on Monday morning.

As a result, Congress MPs were delayed by 20 minutes for the meeting that was chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Attended by the former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and other prominent Congress leaders, the grand old party has decided to protest in front of Gandhi Ji’s statue inside the Parliament after the meeting.

Congress MPs were demanding discussion on the Bill that was tabled to repeal the three farm laws. Amid disruption, the Farm Laws Repeal Bill was passed through the voice vote within minutes.

Talking to National Herald Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader from Gujarat, Shaktisinh Gohil said that the Congress MPs were expected to reach room no 25 at 10.15 am for the meeting but “we were stopped by the security as the convoy of the Prime Miniter was en route to Parliament”.

Gohil said that all MPs have equal right inside the Parliament premise. “Therefore, neither the Prime Minister nor any cabinet minister can enjoy a privileged status inside the Parliament premises. All parliamentarians are equal. Then why were we made to wait outside for almost 20 minutes?” asked Gohil.

Saying that the Parliament premises come under the jurisdiction of the Speaker/Chairman, and the chair is impartial, Gohil said, “Democratic norms/traditions are being destroyed by the ruling party.”

Flagging the issue before the Speaker, Gohil wrote a letter and asked him to protect the rights of the MPs. “Entry in Parliament is allowed only after due security checks and scrutiny. Given this, it is not appropriate to stop MPs from entering the Parliament.”