AAP, TMC, Samajwadi Party to join Congress’ boycott of Parliament to protest against suspension of MPs

The three parties comprising of the opposition have expressed their solidarity with Congress whose 25 parliamentarians were suspended

Written by: Mohammed Uzair Shaikh

Published: August 3, 2015, 9:19 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/india/aap-tmc-samajwadi-party-to-join-congress-boycott-of-parliament-to-protest-against-suspension-of-mps-489482/ Copy

New Delhi, August 3: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) along with Samajwadi Party will boycott the proceedings of Parliament for the next five days. The three parties comprising of the opposition have expressed their solidarity with Congress whose 25 parliamentarians were suspended by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Monday.

AAP which once has been a staunch critic of Congress, has decided to join the protest. Party’s parliamentary affairs leader Bhagwant Mann had earlier too shown support for the Congress when he attended the all-opposition meet called Rahul Gandhi. “The opposition needs to be united, for that we are with them,” said Sangrur MP Mann. (ALSO READ: Sumitra Mahajan justifies Lok Sabha Congress MPs’ suspension, allege disrespect towards Speaker)

The suspension of MPs was fiercely criticised by TMC. Although they have been reluctant in joining the ‘first resign, then debate’ strategy of Congress, the party in clear terms made their disappointment known over the suspension of protesting MPs. “We are object to Speaker’s decision and will boycott the proceedings. We are supporting Congress on this issue,” said TMC MP Kalyan Bannerjee.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi described the move by the Lok Sabha chair as undemocratic. “Its a dark day for democracy,” she added.

25 Congress MPs were suspended in the lower house on Monday by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for the alleged disrespect shown towards her. The parliamentarians are accused of constantly holding placards before her, demanding the resignation of tainted BJP leaders.