Suspension Of Opposition MPs Can Be Revoked If They Apologise: Minister Pralhad Joshi

Seven MPs from TMC, 6 from the DMK, 3 from the TRS, 2 from the CPI(M), and one each from the CPI and the AAP were suspended from Rajya Sabha while 4 MP of the Congress were suspended from Lok Sabha.

New Delhi: Following the suspension of several Opposition Members of Parliament from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said that the suspension can be revoked by the Chair if they apologise and assure they would not show placards in the House, reported news agency PTI. A total of 24 Opposition parliamentarians– 20 from the Rajya Sabha and four from the Lok Sabha – have been suspended for their unruly behaviour and for creating ruckus in Parliament.

"We have been maintaining that the government is ready for discussion on price rise and today Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman resumed her office after recovering from Covid," Joshi said, quoted by the news agency. 

If the Opposition wants, "we can start discussion from today", he further said.

On being asked about the suspension of the MPs, Joshi said, "Their suspension can be revoked by the Chair if they apologise and assure that they would not again bring the placards in the house." The 20 opposition MPs suspended from the Rajya Sabha have started a 50-hour-long protest inside the Parliament complex.

One of the suspended parliamentarians, Dola Sen from Trinamool Congress said that the suspended MPs are holding the relay protest near the Gandhi Statue and will stay at the site through the night.

The MPs suspended over the last two days include seven from the TMC, six from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and one each from the Communist Party of India and the Aam Aadmi Party.

Also, four Lok Sabha MPs of the Congress have been suspended.