Govt didn’t have the numbers, bills would have been defeated in Rajya Sabha: Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil

Despite fervent appeals from Opposition parties, the Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha did not agree for division – separation of 'Ayes' and 'Noes' one by one by creating division lobbies – on Sunday over the contentious farm bills because firstly, the Modi government did not have the numbers and secondly, NDA allies would have been exposed before the people, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil said on Monday.

Gohil said that the exact number of the MPs present in the House at the time of voting in Rajya Sabha could not be counted as due to new sitting arrangement, MPs were asked to sit in three different places. “In view of COVID-19, to maintain social distancing, MPs were scattered...Some of them were sitting in Rajya Sabha, some in visitors’ gallery and some others in Lok Sabha.”

He said that as many as 12 Opposition parties demanded discussion and reply from the Agriculture Minister over the bills, but government passed the legislations through voice vote hurriedly. He added, “Rules say even if one MP demands division, according to the Westminster system, it has to be honoured, but Modi government is hell bent on destroying each and every pillar of democracy.”

Reacting to the suspension of 8 Opposition MPs for “unruly” behavior, Gohil said, “This will go down in history as a black day for democracy”.

When asked how suspension of 8 MPs from Opposition benches will affect the strength of the Opposition in the House, the Rajya Sabha MP replied, “What will members of Opposition parties do? They cannot sit silently in such a situation in Parliament.”

“This is Modi’s style of functioning. I have seen him demolishing democratic traditions and norms in Gujarat but we will continue to fight in and outside the Parliament,” he added.

Meanwhile, echoing Gohil’s views, TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said on Twitter, “Suspension of the 8 MPs who fought to protect farmers interests is unfortunate and reflective of this autocratic Govt’s mindset that doesn’t respect democratic norms and principles. We won’t bow down and we will fight this fascist Govt in Parliament and on the streets.”

An analyst said that the government used the COVID-19 situation as a pretext to weaken the Opposition strength in the Upper House where the Opposition has the upper hand.