Cong calls RS Dy Chairman's fast 'drama', links it to Bihar polls

The Congress today called Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh's decision to fast for a day "drama" targeted for the NDA's campaign for the Bihar elections.

New Delhi: Soon after Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh announced that he would be observing a 24-hour-fast against the unruly behaviour of Opposition MPs, the Congress on Tuesday called it the BJP-led NDA's "drama" before the upcoming Bihar polls.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Congress leader and one of the suspended Rajya Sabha MPs, Syed Naseer Hussain said, "Anybody is free to do anything. Now they know that they are on backfoot. So they have to create some drama for the elections in Bihar. Now, their target is Bihar elections. They can do anything. But what stand you have taken in Parliament is important. We have stood by the farmers. So, we are not going to back off from our stand on this issue."

Similarly, veteran Congress leader Anand Sharma tweeted, "After brazenly violating rules, procedures and practices for passing bills and making laws, Deputy Chairman is shedding crocodile tears for Parliamentary democracy. Token fast is nothing but a farce. Hypocrisy will not wash away the sin of doing injustice to India's farmers."

Another Congress MP, Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "The shadow of the forthcoming Bihar elections has fallen over Parliament now. It is all very well for Constitutional authorities to demand respect. They must, in fact, command respect by their non-partisan actions."

Earlier today, Harivansh Singh had written a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu, expressing his anguish over the matter. He had also brought tea and snacks for the suspended MPs who were protesting in the Parliament premises.

Read:Opposition to boycott Rajya Sabha till it's 3 demands on farm bills met

Praising his gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "To personally serve tea to those who attacked and inserted him a few days ago as well as those sitting on dharna shows that Shri Harivansh ji has been blessed with the humble mind and a big heart. It shows his greatness. I join the people of India in congratulating Harivansh ji."

In another tweet, PM stated, "Bihar taught the whole world about the value of democracy. Today, in the same land MP from Bihar and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Shri Harivansh ji's humility makes every democracy lover inspired and proud."

"If he had shown the same respect to procedures and practices of the House and had taken the consent of the opposition parties by extending the timings of the House, I don't think this ruckus would have been created," said Syed Naseer Hussain.

Congress senior leader Ahmed Patel also tweeted, "Opposition MPs who spent the night in front of Parliament don't need tea, they need justice. BJP Government evicted and attached them because they stood up for farmers. Justice is their right and they will have it. Constitution expects those in power to offer justice, not tea."

However, Congress' Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad praised the deputy speaker for bringing tea for the protesting MPs, saying, "It was a very good gesture on his behalf. I want to praise him. After all we are like one family. Even if we belong to different parties, but we should conduct these Parliament proceedings like a family."

Read:RS Deputy Chairman on one-day fast against unruly behaviour of Opposition MPs