Opposition MPs of I.N.D.I.A alliance boycotted Lok Sabha proceedings against the suspension of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and marched to Dr Ambedkar's statue in Parliament on Friday. The MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, marched inside Parliament premises with placards reading 'Save Democracy' and 'Democracy In Danger'.
Speaking to reporters, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition would continue to fight against the "illegal deeds" of the ruling BJP.
Chowdhury, Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, was suspended on Thursday for "repeated misconduct" pending an investigation by the privileges committee.
"For the first time, matter is being sent to privilege committee after suspending the member so that the member cannot participate in business advisory committee. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury heads the Public Accounts Committee and they want that he cannot participate. To keep him away he has been suspended in this manner," PTI quoted Kharge as saying
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the Opposition would also boycott the customary tea hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker. "We have boycotted Lok Sabha proceedings and we are not going to join the tea hosted by the Speaker. We demand that the suspension be revoked as early as possible," PTI quoted Tagore as saying.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said it was "deeply undemocratic" to deprive the principal leader of the principal opposition party of the right to participate in Lok Sabha proceedings.
Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Kharge said Chowdhury was suspended on a "flimsy ground". "He has been suspended on a flimsy ground. He just said 'Nirav Modi'. Nirav means calm, silent. You suspend him over that?" Kharge said in Rajya Sabha.
Reacting to Adhir's suspension, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said it had become "their habit to level baseless allegations without giving notice". "I had told him (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury) then to apologise and at least express regret. But he did not do it...It is up to the Speaker to decide," Joshi further said.