At Prez Murmu's Oath-Taking, RS LoP Kharge Made To Sit In Seat 'Not Commensurate' To His Position: Opposition

The parties claimed that during President Droupadu Murmu's swearing-in ceremony, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was made to sit in a seat "not commensurate with the position he holds".

New Delhi: The Opposition parties on Monday claimed that during President Droupadu Murmu's swearing-in ceremony, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge, was made to sit in a seat "not commensurate with the position he holds".

The parties submitted a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in this regard, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh informed on Twitter. "Letter submitted to Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha by all Opposition Parties (including TMC) just now," he wrote.

In the letter, the Opposition leaders claimed: "Today, at the swearing-in ceremony of the Hon'ble President, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha was made to sit in a seat not commensurate with the position he holds."

"We are writing to express our shock and protest at this deliberate disrespect shown to a very senior leader violating the warrant of precedence and not in accordance with protocol courtesies due to him," the letter read.

Earlier in the day, Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as India's 15th President at a ceremony in the packed and historic Central Hall of Parliament.

She is the second woman President of the country, the first-ever tribal woman to hold the highest Constitutional post and also the first President to be born in independent India.

The Opposition letter also comes at a time when MPs' vocal protests over a number of issues in both Houses of Parliament have led to forced adjournments amid the ongoing Monsoon session.

Centre vs Opposition In Parliament Over Debate On Inflation, GST

While parties allege that government is not letting the debate on inflation and GST on daily use items take place, Centre claims that it is ready for the discussion but it is the Opposition "running away" from the same.

"Combined Opposition, TMC and AAP included, has been demanding an URGENT discussion on price rise and GST on food items. But the Modi Sarkar remains adamant and has refused. Protests continue. Two adjournments already and this time till 4pm," Jairam Ramesh wrote on Twitter.

LS Speaker Om Birla urges opposition to stop bringing placards into the House, says govt ready to hold discussion

Amid sloganeering in Lok Sabha today, Speaker Om Birla said that "I urge the members to stop bringing placards into the House. The government is ready to hold a discussion."

"If you (Opposition) want to hold a discussion, then I'm ready for it. If MPs only want to show placards in the House, then they can do so outside the House after 3pm. The people of the country want the House to run," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI. 

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also hit back at the Opposition saying, "Govt is ready for talks on inflation as we want people to know what steps we've taken to keep inflation low as compared to other countries. Opposition is running away from the debate as they know they will be exposed."

The Union government's response to the seating issue raised by the Opposition is awaited.

(With Agency Inputs)