TMC to appeal to Lok Sabha speaker seeking revocation of Opposition MPs’ suspensions

The Trinamool Congress on Monday said it would appeal to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to consider revoking the suspension of eight Opposition MPs, saying that the Parliament must function smoothly and that the Opposition should be allowed to speak, PTI reported.

The party’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee said that the Trinamool Congress would formally write to the Speaker seeking a review of the suspensions.

“We want the House to run, and it is the responsibility of the government to run the House,” he was quoted as saying. “The Opposition should also get time to speak.”

He added: “We have placed an appeal in front of the competent authority, we hope that the House will run.”

However, Banerjee declined to respond to a question about whether the party would support a no-confidence motion against Birla, which is being considered by some Opposition parties, the news agency reported.

The party reiterated its position later on social media stating that a Parliament which functions by silencing the Opposition cannot be said to be functioning at all.

It said that while orderly conduct of the House was essential, elected Opposition MPs represented millions of citizens and must be given the opportunity to speak.

“Their voices cannot be erased by arbitrary suspensions,” the party said.

A Parliament that runs...

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