Govt putting people's lives at risk, defer Parliament: Derek O'Brien

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien has accused the Central government of putting the lives of others at "risk" as Parliament was functioning amid the pandemic situation across the country and demanded the Budget Session be "deferred".

New Delhi: Pointing out three BJP MPs going in self-isolation over the fear of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of putting the lives of others at "risk" as Parliament was functioning amid the pandemic situation across the country and demanded the Budget Session be "deferred".

Speaking to media, Brien said, "From Rajya Sabha, I have received a letter from my colleague that Minister V. Muraleedhar is in self-isolation, Suresh Prabhu in self-isolation and I don't know whether this true that Dushyant Singh has also gone into self-isolation.

"He was referring to the three MPs putting themselves in self-isolation over COVID-19 infection. While BJP MP from Rajasthan Dushyant Singh, who is the son of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also went into self-isolation after he attended a programme along with his mother and others in Lucknow with the Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, who tested positive for COVID-19.

The health department officials are trying to ascertain with who all Dushyant Singh met after attending the party in Lucknow as he also attended the Parliament proceeding on March 15.

Confirming the news of self-quarantine, Raje in a tweet said, "While in Lucknow, I attended a dinner with my son Dushyant and his in-laws, Kanika (Kapoor), who has unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 was also a guest. As a matter of abundant caution, my son and I have immediately self-quarantined and we're taking all necessary precautions.

"Slamming the government, the Trinamool Congress leader said, "Two days ago I was sitting with Dushyant Singh for over two and a half hours during the transport standing committee meeting."So you cannot practice one thing and preach one thing. What is happening? Parliament should be deferred. The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) gave a speech and asked for self-isolation and then why Parliament is working?"

Them whom we are showing that we are working. What is happening is very bad. The focus should be on taking measures and you are putting people at risk as three MPs are in self-isolation," he said. He also accused the government of giving conflicting messages in these times as the Parliament is functioning.

"We are discussing everything in Parliament except COVID-19," he said, adding that only "three per cent" of the time has been given to discuss coronavirus in the House while the rest of the other time was given to discuss other things.

Sharing the example of Rajya Sabha, he said, "In the Rajya Sabha the BJP MP is bringing Private Bill to remove word socialist from the Preamble. What is going on here? We all want to work. The Minister today said that we want to instil confidence.

"What do you mean and to whom?" he asked. Attacking the government, the Trinamool Congress MP said, "You are trying to show that you are working yet. Today Dr Ambedkar must be very disappointed with the way this last institution left is also being subverted."

(IANS)