'Mockery of democracy': Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP over suspension of opposition MPs

The winter session of the Indian Parliament witnessed unprecedented chaos and controversy on Monday, after the suspension of over 46 opposition MPs for 'misconduct' and not obeying the directions of the Chair. This action has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition leaders, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling it a "mockery of democracy.

Reacting to the unprecedented action, West Bengal CM said, "It is not that collectively they have to suspend everybody. If they think that the House is supreme, why are they afraid? If they suspend all the members, how will they raise their voices? They are passing three important bills, even the law bills. It is a very important criminal law bill. We all said that letting a new government come as elections are left out for only three to four months. Why are they taking the decision right now? Even a new government can review all this. There is a system in democracy. Who will raise the voice for the people?"

#WATCH | On suspension of 33 Opposition MPs for the remainder of Winter Session today, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "...It is not that collectively they have to suspend everybody...If they think that the House is supreme why are afraid?... If they suspend all the members… pic.twitter.com/Pz8TRWI6Wc

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023

Demanding answers on security breach

The opposition leaders have been demanding clarification from Home Minister Amit Shah over the security breach in Parliament on December 13. 

The MPs that have been suspended from Lok Sabha are Kalyan Banerjee (TMC), A. Raja (DMK), Dayanidhi Maran (DMK), Aparupa Poddar (TMC), Prasun Banerjee (TMC), ET Mohammed Basheer (IUML), Ganesan Selvam (DMK), CN Annadurai (DMK), Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (INC), T. Sumathy (DMK), Kani K. Navas (IUML), Kalanidhi Veeraswamy (DMK), NK Premachandran (RSP), Sougata Ray (TMC), Satabdi Roy (TMC), Asit Kumar Mal (TMC), Kaushalendra Kumar - (JDU), Anto Antony (INC), SS Palanimanickam (DMK), Pratima Mondal (TMC), Kakoli Ghosh (TMC), K Muraleedharan (INC), Sunil Mondal (TMC), Ramalingam Sellaperumal (DMK), Kodikunnel Suresh (INC), Amar Singh (INC), Rajmohan Unnithan (INC), Su. Thirunavukkarasar (INC), TR Baalu (DMK), Gaurav Gogoi (INC), Vijaykumar Vasanth (INC), Dr. K Jayakumar (INC), Abdul Khaleque (INC).

A Shadow over Parliamentary Proceedings

The mass suspension of MPs has cast a long shadow over the functioning of Parliament. With the winter session now virtually over, it remains to be seen whether the suspended MPs will be allowed to return in the next session.