Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday criticized the Opposition for disrupting the House and forcing adjournment, adding that it was unprecedented that even though they had filed a notice of no-confidence against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, they were seeking to discuss another issue.
Rijiju’s intervention comes amid a major outcry by the Opposition demanding a debate on energy security and a debate after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a spontaneous statement on the situation in West Asia.
“The Opposition is very confused. They have given a notice of no confidence against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. We are ready to start the discussion now. But now they want a discussion on another issue. Let them discuss their notice (in Birla),” Rijiju said.
BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, who was chairing the session, also accused the opposition of not paying attention to Jaishankar’s statement.
“You want to discuss energy security. The minister talked about that. You brought banners to ask about the welfare of Indians living in the Gulf region. The minister talked about that in his statement. But you did not listen to him. You are trying to create new precedents,” Pal said.
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Pal also suggested that if the Opposition wanted to have a debate, it should bring it up in the Business Advisory Committee. The Audit Committee decides the weekly agenda of the Council.
After the House adjourned, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav said, “…The US is dictating to us from whom we should buy oil. There must be a debate in Parliament on India’s foreign policy.”
Outside the House, BJP MP and former foreign minister Harsh Shringla said, “EAM Dr S Jaishankar issued the Su Motu statement in the Rajya Sabha. His statement comprehensively covered the government’s position on the issue. The government will continue to monitor this situation carefully.”
The Lok Sabha session was adjourned until 3 pm amid protests by the opposition over the discussion of the conflict in West Asia.
