Delhi (The Stellar News): On Thursday Rajya Sabha proceedings were suspended for about an hour as Congress MPs sparked controversy over the government’s alleged abuse of central investigative agencies. Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition and a prominent member of the Congress, alleged that the government was abusing autonomous organisations to settle political scores, an accusation the Treasury benches refuted.
Kharge questioned how he could be summoned when Parliament was in session in the upper house when he was called to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in the National Herald case.
‘How can they summon me when Parliament is in session?’ asked Kharge in the upper house, while talking about the ED summons, asking him to appear before it in the National Herald case.
The agency has Young Indian Limited’s offices at Herald House in Delhi, which is owned by Associated Journals and operates the outlet, blocked off as of Wednesday. According to ED officials, Kharge is the company’s authorised agent, and since the senior Congressman wasn’t present, they had to lock the premises. “At 1:30 pm, I have to appear (before the ED). I intend to abide with the law. But given that Parliament is currently in session, is it appropriate to call me at this time?” Kharge stated this morning in Rajya Sabha.
“Police yesterday surrounded the homes of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. Will democracy survive in such circumstances? Can we carry out our jobs in accordance with the Constitution? We won’t be scared. We’ll combat this “, he stated.
Through their notices, the AAP’s Sanjay Singh and the Congress’ Deepender Singh Hooda sought to address the Agnipath Army recruitment programme, while Raghav Chadha tried to bring up the subject of narcotics seizures at Gujarat and Maharashtra ports. In order to bring up the matter of alleged abuse of investigation agencies for political vengeance, Kharge and his party colleague K C Venugopal gave notices in accordance with Rule 267.
The problem came up a day after the Enforcement Directorate temporarily closed the Young Indian Company office, which was located on the grounds of the Congress-owned newspaper National Herald, as part of an ongoing probe into money laundering.
Naidu claimed he hasn’t acknowledged them because the problems might be brought up in different ways. To consider the issues presented in these notices, Rule 267 allows for setting aside the day’s business. Naidu, on the other hand, gave Kharge the opportunity to bring up his concern. Just as Kharge mentioned the subject, the argument with the Treasury benches broke out. The proceedings were then put on hold by the chairman.
The Lok Sabha’s Thursday sessions were also postponed till 2 PM due to opposition demonstrations.
Members of the opposition, including those from Congress, wanted to bring up the ED action, the price increase, and other problems as soon as the House convened for the day.
As part of an ongoing money laundering inquiry, the ED temporarily sealed the Young Indian (YI) firm headquarters here, which is located on the grounds of Congress-owned newspaper National Herald.
Congressmen marched into the Well of the House while yelling slogans. When Speaker Om Birla asked the members to return to their seats, they protested anyhow.
During the Question Hour, which lasted until about 11:30 am, five questions and pertinent supplementary material were addressed.Birla halted the proceedings until two in the afternoon while the din persisted.
Report: Deepanjot Kaur (Under Training)
