Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was suspended from the Lower House on Thursday for "repeated misconduct", pending an investigation by the privileges committee.
On the third and final day of the debate on no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Centre, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a resolution seeking Chowdhury's suspension, alleging that he disturbs the House whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministers speak. The resolution was passed by a voice vote.
The Congress called the action against its floor leader "undemocratic". Party whip in the Lower House Manickam Tagore took to X (formerly Twitter), calling the act "unbelievable". He wrote, "First time for speaking against Modi, Largest opposition leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suspended. Unbelievable. Undemocratic. Condemn the autocracy."
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, speaking to news agency ANI, blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for creating obstructions for the Opposition bloc INDIA in putting their voice forward. "The BJP has been creating obstructions for INDIA alliance in putting forth its voice by engaging in the process of suspending Derek O'Brien, AAP MPs, and now the process of suspending Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. But we will not step back. We will go ahead and work together. We will raise our voices for our rights and for the issues of the people. In the end, we will win."
Reacting to his own suspension, Chowdhury defended his speech in the Parliament. "... I have not insulted PM Modi. Modiji speaks on everything but on Manipur issue, he is sitting 'Nirav', which means silent. You have become Mr. silent. My intention was not to insult PM Modi... He did not feel that he was insulted. His courtiers (darbaris) felt so and brought this proposal against me. I came to know that the matter has been referred to the privileges committee and I have been suspended," Chowdhury told ANI.
Joshi, addressing the House, had said, "It has become habitual for him (Adhir) and it has become most unfortunate. He is the leader of the Congress party, which is the largest party in the opposition in this House. Despite repeated warnings he has not improved himself." "Always in his debate he makes these baseless charges, he tries to lower the dignity of the government. There are no facts in his arguments and he never apologises. Today also, we demanded that he apologise. He did the same thing when the Home Minister was speaking," Joshi added.
The resolution moved by Joshi stated, "this House, having taken note of the gross, deliberate and repeated misconduct of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in utter disregard of the House and authority of the chair, resolves that the matter of misconduct of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury be further referred to the to Committee of Privileges of the house for further investigation and report to the House and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury be suspended from service of the House till the committee submits its report," following which the House adopted the motion.
(With inputs from agencies)