A total of 141 MPs have been suspended from the Parliament’s upper and lower houses, following protests by the opposition over the recent Parliament security breach.
Accusations flew on Monday as the opposition criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for what they called an ‘assault on democracy’, following the unprecedented suspension of 78 MPs in a single day. The majority of these lawmakers face exclusion for the remainder of the winter session, concluding on Friday.
However, approximately two dozen individuals may confront extended absences pending a decision from the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
The bulk of the suspended MPs belong to the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties gearing up to challenge Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming general election. Within the 543-member Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament), the alliance commands 142 MPs, with 95 currently under suspension. In the 250-member upper house, the Rajya Sabha (with a few seats vacant), the alliance holds 101 MPs, of which 46 have been suspended.
Expressing his disappointment after being suspended, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor remarked on Tuesday, \"Unfortunately, we have to commence composing obituaries for parliamentary democracy in India.\" The governing BJP has countercharged the opposition leaders, alleging intentional disruptions of parliamentary proceedings.
These developments are poised to further strain the already tense relations between the opposition and Prime Minister Modi's administration.
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