JOIN USThe row that erupted over Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti’s remarks has threatened to jeopardise the Union government’s ambitious legislative agenda lined up for the winter session of Parliament.
A furious Opposition was in no mood to let go of the opportunity to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is in minority.
The Congress, Trinamool Congress and the CPM have launched a concerted campaign against the government demanding action against Union Minister of State for Food Processing. Members of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also joined in.
In separate media briefings, the Congress and the CPM demanded Jyoti's resignation, and also questioned Modi's silence on the issue.
The Opposition's mood indicated that NDA floor managers would have to walk the extra mile to ensure smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha. “Union ministers like Jyoti and Giriraj Singh are creating law and order problems. Why is Modi quiet on the issue?” asked Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Asked whether the Congress would continue to stall the Rajya Sabha till Modi acted against his ministers, Singhvi said: “These decisions are dynamic and taken on a daily basis. If the government thinks a dormant Opposition is a constructive Opposition, it is mistaken.”
CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said the government cannot accuse the Opposition of non-cooperation. “I do not recall the Rajya Sabha passing five bills in two days. The government cannot ride roughshod on the Opposition,” he said.