New Delhi: Stating that the suspension of the 12 opposition MPs from Rajya Sabha is a "black day in the history of Parliament", senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday said that the intent is clear that the government wants to make the institution dysfunctional.
As many as 12 MPs from the opposition parties were suspended from Parliament's Winter Session for allegedly creating ruckus on the last day of the Monsoon Session.
The suspension came after Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi wrote a letter to Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who is the Vice President, for shocking violence on the last day of the Monsoon Session.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Sibal, former Union Minister, said, "It is a black day in the history of Parliament. The intent of the government is clear: it wants to make the institution dysfunctional."
He further said, "They (the government) know that if they suspend (the opposition MPs) in this fashion, without any hearing, or explanation, they know the opposition will react and some measures will be taken (by the opposition) such as boycott. Then the government, in turn, will blame that they (the opposition) are not allowing the House to run. In fact, it is the government that does not want the House to run. That's the reality."
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