Opposition parties move no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha deputy chairman

Amid uproar over the two farm bills passed by the Rajya Sabha, the opposition parties have moved a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Singh after he overruled opposition pleas for postponing Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar’s reply to the debate on the two farm bills till Monday since the sitting time scheduled of the House was over. The motion was signed by around 100 members of the opposition parties.

New Delhi: As Rajya Sabha passed two farm bills amid the ruckus on Sunday, 12 opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion notice against the deputy speaker Harivansh Narayan Singh after he overruled their pleas to adjourn the house till Monday.

Congress even accused the BJP-led Central Government of "murdering the democracy" over the passage of these bills.

While speaking to the media, Congress senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel, said, "This day will be written with black ink in the Indian history. These ordinances are against the federal structure as agriculture is a state matter. All the states are already in economic distress because of non-fulfillment of GST compensation. This is an attempt to reduce the revenue of states.

"The manner in which this bill got passed, it was a murder of democracy. We demanded that the house should be adjourned and the rest of the leaders can reply tomorrow. It was not accepted. Then we asked for a division of votes but it was also declined," said the Congress veteran while explaining the reason for submitting no-confidence notice against the deputy speaker.

Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Whoever was present in the Parliament today, knows that no such bill has been passed which Government is claiming. This is the death of democracy."

He further added, "More than 10 people demanded a division of votes which was denied. That is why we passed a no-confidence motion today. We don't believe that in a democracy, you can pass a bill with your majority and tyranny."

Singhvi also gave a hint that Congress may soon approach to Supreme Court on these bills, saying, "I have complete faith that if this bill got passed in such an unconstitutional way then it will surely be opposed in Supreme Court of India. Today, the Government has proved that they knew they won't be able to pass this bill with their majority, that is why they used such ill-practices."

Congress is opposing the passage of Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 that the Center had introduced in June to replace the earlier ordinances.

Congress MP, Pratap Singh Bajwa said, "This was a death warrant for farmers. They didn't even try to talk to the stakeholders. This Government has caused a huge loss today to the country."

Another leader of Congress, Akhilesh Prasad Singh stated, "Bihar was the first state where the APMC Act was demolished. Due to which, the rural economy of Bihar has greatly impacted. All the profit goes to the traders. Now, this same thing will occur in the entire country.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the passage of two farm bills as a "watershed moment" in the history of Indian agriculture, asserting that the system of MSP will remain.

Reacting over his claims, Ahmed Patel replied, "Firstly, they brought the land acquisition act, but they had to take it back. Now they want to give our agriculture to the corporate sector. PM's claim on MSP is completely baseless and factless."