Opposition boycotts RS proceedings for day over no discussion on China border issue

The boycott exposed the chinks in Opposition unity as AAP and Trinamool Congress participated in Question Hour

Opposition parties, barring Trinamool Congress, DMK, AAP and JMM, boycotted the proceedings in Rajya Sabha for the day on Thursday after their demand for an immediate discussion on India-China military clashes and border row was disallowed in the House.

The boycott exposed the chinks in Opposition unity as AAP and Trinamool Congress, which first walked out of the House with other Opposition MPs, returned to the House to participate in the Question Hour. DMK and JMM returned to the House in the afternoon to participate in a bill for inclusion of certain communities in Scheduled Tribes from Tamil Nadu.

AAP and Trinamool Congress leaders claimed that there was no decision on boycotting the proceedings during a meeting of Opposition floor leaders chaired by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. They pointed out that they walked out with other Opposition MPs in solidarity.

Also read | Piyush Goyal withdraws 'offensive' remark on Bihar in Rajya Sabha

At the Opposition leaders' meeting, sources said various strategies were discussed, including walking out and boycotting the proceedings for a day. The Opposition were also up in arms against Leader of the House Piyush Goyal’s comments, which they said were insulting to Bihar and its people.

As soon as the official papers were laid on the table of the House, Opposition members were on their feet demanding a discussion on India-China military clashes but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar did not allow any of the 12 notices, including on other subjects like Covid-19 situation, citing that they were not in order.

Kharge said the government was adamant in not allowing a discussion and the Opposition's fight was not with the Chairman. He also urged the Chairman to look at conventions and practices of the House rather than just relying on the Rule Book to allow the discussion.

Dhankar said he was anguished at the behaviour of the Opposition MPs who were protesting against not allowing a debate on India-China clashes. "None of us are against the Chairman. Our anger is against the government for not allowing the debate," Kharge said.

As Opposition protests continued, the Chairman also called both Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and Kharge for a meeting after Question Hour to which the Leader of the Opposition said they should not have a meeting behind the doors but inside the House.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman countered Kharge and said that earlier late Pranab Mukherjee, as Union Minister, had asked then MP Kiren Rijiju to meet him when a query was raised in the House.

RJD's Manoj K Jha told reporters outside the House, "Army belongs to the nation and not any political party. Do not hide your diplomatic failure behind the Army." He also demanded that Goyal should apologise for his remark on Bihar. "If he doesn't, we'll consider Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to insult people of Bihar," he said.

Senior Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the government should make its stand on China clear. "Why are they scared? Our security is under threat. Parliament is divided in two parts now, who are raising voices for the country's welfare and those suppressing it." He also demanded the removal of Goyal from his post for his comments on Bihar.