Tag: Derek O Brien

  • BJP failed to pass Women’s Reservation Bill, didn’t keep 2014 poll promise: Trinamool Congress

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien on Sunday slammed the Centre over the Women’s Reservation Bill, accusing the BJP of failing to pass the legislation despite assurances in the party’s 2014 election manifesto.

    Today makes it 25 years since the WOMEN’S RESERVATION BILL was introduced in #Parliament25 years. No Bill passed.MO-SHA’s BJP even promised it in their 2014 Manifesto. FAIL.One min video pic.twitter.com/cxNhHEFRnh
    — Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 12, 2021
    O’Brien also posted a video on Twitter of his recent speech in Rajya Sabha over the issue. “Today makes it 25 years since the WOMEN’S RESERVATION BILL was introduced in #Parliament. 25 years. No Bill passed. MO-SHA’s BJP even promised it in their 2014 Manifesto. FAIL,” the TMC MP tweeted.

    The bill aims at 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. O’Brien, in the video of his speech, claimed that there is 25 per cent representation of women in legislatures across the world, while the national average is 13 per cent.

    In the BJP, the number of women MPs in Parliament is around 10-11 per cent, he said. The TMC national spokesman said in contrast, close to 40 per cent of his party’s MPs in both Houses of Parliament are women.

  • ‘Mr Modi, listen to us’: Opposition releases video of members speaking on Pegasus, farmers

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The opposition’s strategy of speaking on the Pegasus snooping row and farm laws during discussions of bills in the Rajya Sabha has now been compiled in a three-minute video in an attempt to make the government listen to their demands, leaders said on Sunday.

    The video, released by the TMC on Sunday morning from RS MP Derek O’Brien’s handle, urges, “Mr Modi come listen to us”.

    Opposition party sources indicated that over the last few weeks, leaders have realised that the disruptions by them in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are not enough.

    It was important to say the words, “farmers”, “Pegasus” and spyware on the floor of the Houses.

    Asked about the opposition MPs’ strategy of raising such issues while seeking to speak on bills in Parliament, O’Brien said that their “strategy was deliberate”.

    PM @narendramodi seems to have lost his nerves. Why is he not keen on answering questions in the Parliament?The opposition parties are ready for discussions in the Parliament, but @BJP4India Govt is stalling the proceedings so that the truth doesn’t get to the people. pic.twitter.com/1IpOxj2TX8
    — Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha (@LoPIndia) August 8, 2021
    “When the official channels are being denied, this is a new way to reach the masses,” said O’Brien who is also the leader of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha.

    “PM @narendramodi seems to have lost his nerves.

    Why is he not keen on answering questions in Parliament? The opposition parties are ready for discussions in Parliament, but @BJP4India govt is stalling the proceedings so that the truth doesn’t get to the people,” Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge said in a tweet posting the video.

    The video, which has been compiled using clips from RSTV, comprises statements made by the opposition MPs in the Upper House, with the words “farmer” and “Pegasus” in the opening lines.

    “You are not allowing the discussion we have been asking for the past 14 days and the discussions we can do later. You are passing that bill now. If you have courage, begin the discussions on Pegasus now,” Kharge is heard saying in the video on the floor of the House.

    The compilation includes opposition speakers like Vandana Chavan of the NCP who raised the Pegasus issue, accusing the government of “not listening to the people”.

    RJD’s Manoj Jha too is seen speaking on the spyware issue.

    “Pegasus has reached everyone’s house. We have to discuss this,” says Jha.

    Congress’s Deepinder Hooda raised the issue of farmers stating that he would talk about the matter if his “microphone is not switched off”.

    The CPI(M) accused the government of “stealing” parliamentary democracy, while TMC’s Sukhendu Shekar Roy raised the issue of “freedom of speech in Parliament”.

    The other parties which have representation in the video include Samajwadi Party, TRS, DMK and AAP.

    One of the leaders in the video, Shiv Sena MP in Rajya Sabha Priyanka Chaturvedi said in a democracy if the government of the day has a responsibility, so does the opposition.

    “Whether it is about farmers, about the economy, safety and security of women, just the word mentioned by the opposition makes them silence our voices, makes them adjourn Parliament, makes them mute our microphones.

    “Our inability to be heard by a government which is so brazen has made us realise that the only way we can speak and make our point heard is when such bills are being discussed and passed in such a hurry,” Chaturvedi said.

    CPI(M) leader and RS MP Elamaram Kareem said that speaking during the discussion on bills was the only way to make the government listen.

    “This tactic is going to be continued the coming week as well. There is no other option as the government is not admitting our motions. Everyone is seeing how the chairperson is behaving, switching off microphones even as the Pegasus word is being uttered.

    The entire opposition is one on this and we will stick by it till the government relents,” said Kareem, who is the leader of his party in the Upper House.

    Chaturvedi also hit out at the government over the alleged switching off of microphones when opposition leaders raise certain issues, saying it shows the intolerance of the government.

    “By muting our mics, by trying to suppress our voices, they think they can silence us then they should be rest assured that we will raise our voice further and our voices will get louder,” the Shiv Sena MP said.

    Senior Congress leader and party spokesperson Manish Tewari said that what is happening in the House is a “complete murder of democracy”.

    “The institution of Parliament is being trifled with by the NDA-BJP government,” said Tewari, slamming the government for getting bills passed when the House is not in order.

    “There is a time honoured convention that a legislation is never passed in din and it is not even discussed when the House is not in order,” he said.

    Since the start of the Monsoon Session on July 19, parliamentary proceedings have been continuously witnessing disruptions due to protests by opposition parties and a logjam has persisted over their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping row.

    The opposition has also been strongly protesting against the price rise issue and demanding the repeal of the farm laws.

    An international media consortium had reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers, including that of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union ministers Prahlad Singh Patel and Ashwini Vaishnaw, businessman Anil Ambani, and at least 40 journalists, were on the list of potential targets for surveillance using Israeli firm NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware.

  • WATCH: Opposition releases video of its members sneaking in Pegasus, farmers during discussions in Rajya Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The opposition’s strategy of speaking on the Pegasus snooping row and farm laws during discussions of bills in the Rajya Sabha has now been compiled in a three-minute video in an attempt to make the government listen to their demands, leaders said on Sunday.

    The video, released by the TMC on Sunday morning from RS MP Derek O’Brien’s handle, urges, “Mr Modi come listen to us”.

    Opposition party sources indicated that over the last few weeks, leaders have realised that the disruptions by them in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are not enough.

    It was important to say the words, “farmers”, “Pegasus” and spyware on the floor of the Houses.

    “Mr Modi,Come listen to us.” #Parliament @INCIndia@AITCofficial@samajwadiparty@ShivSena @trspartyonline @arivalayam @cpimspeak @RJDforIndia@NCPspeaks @AamAadmiPartyThree minute VIDEO

  • Derek O’Brien claims PM attended all-party meet for less than 10 minutes, Pralhad Joshi hits back

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: TMC MP Derek O’Brien took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was present in the all-party meeting held on Sunday for less than 10 minutes, reacting to which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that it was Modi who pioneered attending the meet as PM since 2014.

    Modi in a Twitter post said that he attended the all-party meeting.

    “Took part in the all-party meeting before the start of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. We look forward to a productive session where all issues can be debated as well as discussed in a constructive manner,” the PM said.

    At the meeting attended by 33 parties, the prime minister said suggestions from public representatives, especially from the opposition, were valuable as they made the discussion rich.

    The meeting was held a day ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and was attended by floor leaders of various political parties.

    Besides Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joshi were present at the meeting.

    “Prime Minister, Sir.True. You did TAKE PART. The Parliament meeting lasted for 2 hours and 40 minutes.We had the pleasure of your company for 9 minutes. You listened for 3 minutes. Allowed the photographers/video cams in for 2 minutes. And spoke to us for 4 minutes,” tweeted O’ Brien.

    After the meeting, the TMC RS MP had earlier tweeted about the short presence of the PM.

    “Today’s all-party meet before #Parliament session. 11am-1.28 pm: Leaders of Oppn parties speak. Urge GOI not to mock Parliament & discuss issues.1.29 pm: HE enters.1.30-1.31 pm: Photo Op.1.32-1.34 pm: Last Oppn leader speaks.1.35-1.39 pm: HE speaks.1.40: Bye (HE was there for 9mins).”

    In response to O’Brien’s tweet, Joshi claimed that it was clear the TMC MP had a problem with Modi chairing the all-party meeting.

    “Mr.O’Brien should answer whether any PM attended this meeting before 2014? It is Modi ji who has pioneered attendance as PM since 2014,” the parliamentary affairs minister tweeted.

  • Don’t act as BJP lackey, TMC MP Derek O’Brien tells Solicitor General Tushar Mehta

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: The TMC on Sunday continued its tirade against Solicitor General Tushar Mehta over his reported meeting with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, as the ruling party’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien said the senior advocate should not act as the saffron camps lackey.

    O’Brien, in a tweet, said Mehta should not represent or advise an accused in any case.

    Adhikari, once a TMC heavyweight, is an accused in Narada tapes case and Saradha chit fund scam.

    “Impropriety. Act in a fair manner. Not as a BJP lackey,” O’Brien said.

    Mehta, however, denied meeting Adhikari, and said the BJP leader had visited his residence unannounced.

    The Upper House leader, in a dig at the solicitor general, further stated, “You gave a post-facto explanation after story broke….”

    Pointing out that there was a “conflict of interest” he added, “Even a Public Prosecutor (leave alone high office of SG!) cannot represent or advise the accused.”

    O’Brien’s TMC colleague in Rajya Sabha, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, said he and Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra would meet President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday to press for the ouster of Mehta as the solicitor general.

    Roy had on Saturday said a letter demanding his removal has also been sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The senior TMC leader, during a press meet, also slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre over the soaring fuel prices, and said the saffron party owes an explanation to the people of this country.

    “The price of LPG is set to touch the Rs 1,000-mark, but this BJP government appears to be unmoved by the plight of common people,” Roy added.

    He also demanded a “transparent probe” into the Rafale aircraft deal.

    “Why did the price of Rafale fighter aircraft go up thrice the initial bid? Why did the defence ministry still strike a deal? We want an answer,” the TMC MP added.

  • Delegation of Trinamool Congress MPs to meet EC officials in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A delegation of Trinamool Congress MPs will meet Election Commission officials in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, the party said.

    The delegation will include parliamentarians Derek O’Brien, Kalyan Banerjee, Pratima Mondal and Santanu Sen.

    They are scheduled to reach the Election Commission of India (ECI) office at 3.

    30 pm.

    The meeting will happen days after the poll body barred TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours.

    She had on Tuesday sat on a 3.5-hour-long dharna against the poll panel’s decision.

    On Monday, shortly after the Election Commission barred Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours, her party alleged the poll panel was behaving like a “wing of the BJP” and its decision smacks of authoritarianism.

  • Modi’s charges a bag of lies, owes people explanation on fuel price hike, farmers protests: Trinamool

    Modi during his visit to the state during the day sought to punch a hole in TMC #39;s main poll plank of Bengali pride by pointing to the quot;utter neglect quot; to Bengali icons and its culture.