'Attack On Democratic Rights': NCP Chief Sharad Pawar On Disallowing Protests In Parliament Premises

The Rajya Sabha MP said opposition parties are meeting in New Delhi on Saturday to examine the issue and frame a collective stand.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar (File photo: getty)

New Delhi: Slamming the decision of prohibiting demonstrations and dharnas in Parliament House, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday termed it an attack on the democratic rights of elected representatives. In a circular, it has been mentioned by the Rajya Sabha secretariat that demonstrations, dharnas, or religious ceremonies cannot be held in the precincts of Parliament House. The move has drawn the wrath of the Opposition, yet authorities named the issuance of such notification as a "routine" undertaking ahead of Parliament sessions.

Pawar said, "any attack on democratic rights will not be tolerated." The Rajya Sabha MP said opposition parties are meeting in New Delhi on Saturday to examine the issue and frame a collective stand.

The monsoon session of Parliament is beginning on July 18.

Pawar said when MPs' voice isn't heard inside Parliament, they stage a walkout and hold peaceful fights at the Mahatma Gandhi sculpture on the premises. "That right is being denied," the former Union minister said, adding such an action will not be tolerated.

On the issue of the Shiv Sena, a partner of the NCP in Maharashtra, supporting the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate Droupadi Murmu for President's post, Pawar said, "Every political party has the right to take its own decisions."  

Pawar expressed continuation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising the Congress, the NCP and the Shiv Sena, for challenging future elections has not been discussed in his party.

"It is my personal view that the MVA should contest elections together," the NCP supremo said.

He said only two people are running the government as 15 days have already passed since a new government was formed in Maharashtra. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP took oath on June 30.

"Why is there a delay in cabinet formation is not known. The only work they are doing now is scrapping decisions of the (erstwhile) MVA government. This is not a good precedent," Pawar said.

Pawar said the country's economy was getting into trouble and appropriate steps must be taken to revive it.

He also reacted to the falling value of the rupee against the US dollar saying, "India's economic conditions do not appear to be good."

"The country's economy is heading towards trouble. It is responsibility of the government of the day to see how to keep the economy in good shape and take proper steps for its growth. We will raise this issue in Parliament," the veteran parliamentarian said.

(With PTI inputs)