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New Delhi: The India Alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, has announced plans to take to the streets in protest against the suspension of opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The alliance held its fourth meeting in the national capital on Tuesday, where they discussed and condemned the suspension of a record number of MPs from both houses of Parliament.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, the chief of the India Alliance, has stated that the alliance will hold a nationwide protest on December 22 to demonstrate their opposition to the suspension of MPs from Parliament. The protest is scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 3 p.m., with the participation of all All India Congress Committee (AICC) MPs, floor leaders of the India Block, and prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sitaram Yechury, and D. Raja.
The decision to suspend 49 more opposition MPs on Tuesday and two additional MPs on Wednesday has resulted in a total of 143 suspended MPs across both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This has sparked outrage among the opposition parties, who view the suspensions as an undemocratic attempt to silence their voices.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the media, emphasised the need for unity among opposition parties to combat the current political climate. He stressed the importance of fighting together to protect democracy, stating that the issues raised by the suspended MPs were not unjustified. He also expressed concern over the alleged security breach in Parliament on December 13 and questioned the role of Home Minister Amit Shah in the matter.
Meanwhile, the government has defended the suspension of the MPs, asserting that their actions during the parliamentary session constituted “unruly conduct” and were disrespectful towards the Lok Sabha Speaker. The government maintains that the suspended MPs violated parliamentary norms by displaying placards and disrupting the proceedings of the House.
As the political divide deepens, the India Alliance’s planned protest on December 22 is expected to draw significant attention and participation from opposition parties across the country. This event will further escalate the tension between the opposition and the ruling party, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power and influence in Indian politics.