After Speaker's Displeasure Over House Ops, BJP Asks All Lok Sabha MPs To Be Present On Floor On Thursday

The BJP's whip comes after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed deep displeasure with both the government and the Opposition over the lack of functioning of the House.

The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in Parliament throughout Thursday, to support the government's stand on various issues, including the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and other legislative business to be taken up for discussion.

The whip comes after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed deep displeasure with both the government and the Opposition over the lack of functioning of the House. Birla told both sides that he will not come to Lok Sabha until MPs behave according to the dignity of the House.

Since the commencement of the Monsoon session on July 20, the functioning of both Houses of Parliament has been disrupted by the uproar caused by Opposition parties. The parties have remained resolute in their demand for a statement from the Prime Minister. However, the governing BJP has consented only to a short discussion on matters concerning Manipur and a statement to be given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In an attempt to restore peace and harmony in the state promptly, the Opposition has appealed for the intervention of the President.

A delegation, comprising 31 leaders from the INDIA bloc of the Opposition, led by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, met President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday to address the situation in Manipur. During the meeting, they presented a memorandum outlining their concerns. Kharge expressed that their primary request is for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally visit Manipur and initiate measures to reestablish tranquillity in the state, which has been hit by violence.

In the memorandum, the Opposition asserted, "Both the central and state governments must fulfil their responsibilities in delivering justice to the affected communities. We earnestly urge you to impress upon the Prime Minister the urgent need to address the Parliament regarding the ongoing situation in Manipur. This should be followed by a thorough and inclusive debate on the subject."

The Manipur crisis gained traction after the circulation of a video last month that showed two tribal women being paraded naked. The Supreme Court even pulled up the state police for their delayed response in filing First Information Report (FIR).

A group of 21 Opposition Members of Parliament visited the regions in Manipur impacted by the violence. During their visit, they interacted with individuals in relief camps situated in both the hills and the valley.