BJP passes resolution against ‘destructive, anti-progress’ Cong

NEW DELHI: As the Rajya Sabha bore the brunt of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s Monday decision to suspend 25 Lok Sabha members of the Congress, supporting her decision the BJP today passed a resolution against the “destructive” Opposition party’s “obstructionist and anti-development” policies, which, it warned, would have “serious and long-term adverse consequences for the country”.

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad with Congress’ Renuka Chowdhury (R) and Samajwadi Party’s Jaya Bachchan at Parliament House on Tuesday. PTI

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 4

As the Rajya Sabha bore the brunt of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s Monday decision to suspend 25 Lok Sabha members of the Congress, supporting her decision the BJP today passed a resolution against the “destructive” Opposition party’s “obstructionist and anti-development” policies, which, it warned, would have “serious and long-term adverse consequences for the country”.

Responding to Congress president Sonia Gandhi observation “a black day for democracy”, the saffron party reminded her of the Emergency days and instances of suspension of MPs by previous the Congress governments.

A resolution passed at the BJP parliamentary party meeting this morning maintained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “increasing popularity” and “path-breaking initiatives” had become an “eye sore” for the Congress.

“This is unfortunate that the Congress, which trampled democracy in 1975 by imposing Emergency, …is making such unfounded claims,” the resolution said, citing the expulsion of 63 Opposition members from the House on March 15, 1989, over their demand that Justice Thakkar Commission report on Indira Gandhi’s assassination be tabled.

With most of the Opposition missing, the Lok Sabha functioned smoothly, but in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress ensured that the day ended up as a complete washout.

BJP functionaries said the decision to revoke MPs’ suspension was the Speaker’s prerogative. “The BJP parliamentary party condemns the obstructionist, narrow and anti-development mindset of the Congress as it will seriously affect the country that is emerging as an important economic power,” the BJP resolution said.