NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to send the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), Swati Maliwal, to the Rajya Sabha. Maliwal will become a Rajya Sabha member for the first time. AAP’s political affairs committee (PAC) has also chosen to nominate Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta for their second terms as members of the upper house, given that their current term concludes on January 27, 2024.
Tag: Sanjay Singh
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Excise policy case: Court allows ED five-day custody of AAP MP Sanjay Singh
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday allowed five-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering probe allegedly linked to the now-scrapped excise policy corruption case.
Special Court judge MK Nagpal granted the ED remand till October 10 (Monday) though the probe agency sought a ten-day remand of the AAP leader, saying he needs to be interrogated with the digital evidence in relation to the case.
The ED informed the court that Singh’s phone was seized and he needs to be confronted with other individuals in the case.
Singh’s counsel senior advocate Mohit Mathur, during the course of the hearing, said, “This case investigation keeps going and will never end,” while pointing to liquor businessman Dinesh Arora, a star witness who was made an accused earlier by the CBI and ED and later turned approver in the case.
“Look into the changing statements of Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora…Suddenly you start taking names,” he said.
As per the remand note seen by TNIE, Singh has been a part of the conspiracy of collecting kickbacks from liquor groups in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
It further says that Singh has a close relationship with Arora since 2017 as revealed by the latter as well as from his call records.
ALSO READ | Aam Aadmi Party holds protest against arrest of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh
Singh’s associates — Vivek Tyagi, Ajit Tyagi and Sarvesh Mishra — also have a close relationship with Arora, the document says. Singh has received proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 2 crore in the Delhi liquor scam on two occasions, the remand note stated.
On one occasion, as per ED investigation, Arora had collected Rs 3 crore bribe from another liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru from August-October 2021, on the directions of AAP communication overseer Vijay Nair, said the note. Out of this amount, Rs 1 crore was given to Sarvesh Mishra (Sanjay Singh’s person) on the direction of Nair. This amount was delivered to Singh’s house by an employee of Dinesh Arora, it was noted.
During the hearing, opposing the ED’s application for 10 days’ custody, Singh’s counsel argued that the demand was an absurd position for someone who is not involved in the matter at all.
On the other hand, the ED’s special counsel Zoheb Hossain said the agency has all the call recording details and other records related to the accused.
While he was taken to the courtroom, Singh said his arrest was “an act of injustice” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose party was “going to lose the next Lok Sabha elections”.
Later, when the court asked him whether he wanted to say something, Singh claimed he was being treated unfairly. He claimed that he was never summoned or called in regard to the case, asking why there is a (alag kanoon) separate law for him.
Sanjay Singh, who was arrested on Wednesday, was questioned for hours before being taken into custody. Singh is considered to be the second-most powerful politician in the AAP after party supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He is the third AAP leader to be arrested by a central agency.
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday allowed five-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering probe allegedly linked to the now-scrapped excise policy corruption case.
Special Court judge MK Nagpal granted the ED remand till October 10 (Monday) though the probe agency sought a ten-day remand of the AAP leader, saying he needs to be interrogated with the digital evidence in relation to the case.
The ED informed the court that Singh’s phone was seized and he needs to be confronted with other individuals in the case.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });
Singh’s counsel senior advocate Mohit Mathur, during the course of the hearing, said, “This case investigation keeps going and will never end,” while pointing to liquor businessman Dinesh Arora, a star witness who was made an accused earlier by the CBI and ED and later turned approver in the case.
“Look into the changing statements of Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora…Suddenly you start taking names,” he said.
As per the remand note seen by TNIE, Singh has been a part of the conspiracy of collecting kickbacks from liquor groups in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
It further says that Singh has a close relationship with Arora since 2017 as revealed by the latter as well as from his call records.
ALSO READ | Aam Aadmi Party holds protest against arrest of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh
Singh’s associates — Vivek Tyagi, Ajit Tyagi and Sarvesh Mishra — also have a close relationship with Arora, the document says. Singh has received proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 2 crore in the Delhi liquor scam on two occasions, the remand note stated.
On one occasion, as per ED investigation, Arora had collected Rs 3 crore bribe from another liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru from August-October 2021, on the directions of AAP communication overseer Vijay Nair, said the note. Out of this amount, Rs 1 crore was given to Sarvesh Mishra (Sanjay Singh’s person) on the direction of Nair. This amount was delivered to Singh’s house by an employee of Dinesh Arora, it was noted.
During the hearing, opposing the ED’s application for 10 days’ custody, Singh’s counsel argued that the demand was an absurd position for someone who is not involved in the matter at all.
On the other hand, the ED’s special counsel Zoheb Hossain said the agency has all the call recording details and other records related to the accused.
While he was taken to the courtroom, Singh said his arrest was “an act of injustice” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose party was “going to lose the next Lok Sabha elections”.
Later, when the court asked him whether he wanted to say something, Singh claimed he was being treated unfairly. He claimed that he was never summoned or called in regard to the case, asking why there is a (alag kanoon) separate law for him.
Sanjay Singh, who was arrested on Wednesday, was questioned for hours before being taken into custody. Singh is considered to be the second-most powerful politician in the AAP after party supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He is the third AAP leader to be arrested by a central agency.
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ED raids on Sanjay Singh show BJP resorting to desperate measures, says Delhi CM Kejriwal
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the ED raids on AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s residence showed that the BJP was resorting to desperate measures as it stares at a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Many such raids will take place but there is nothing to be scared of, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener said.
READ MORE | ED targeting Sanjay Singh for raising Adani matter in Parliament: AAP
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday morning raided AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s home in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, officials said. Premises of some others connected to the case are also being covered, they said.
“They have been probing the alleged liquor scam for the last year but nothing has been found yet. Nothing will be found at Sanjay Singh’s residence. When someone is staring at defeat, they resort to desperate measures. That is what is happening right now,” Kejriwal told reporters during his visit to the Okhla landfill site. The chief minister said such raids will only increase as the election nears.”
ED, CBI, I-T and police agencies will become active as the elections come closer. Yesterday, it was journalists and today, it is Sanjay Singh. Many such raids will happen. But there is no need to be scared,” he added.
On the Supreme Court hearing his former deputy Manish Sisodia’s bail plea, Kejriwal said, “The blessings of children are with him. We hope he will get justice from the Supreme Court today.”
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the ED raids on AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s residence showed that the BJP was resorting to desperate measures as it stares at a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Many such raids will take place but there is nothing to be scared of, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener said.
READ MORE | ED targeting Sanjay Singh for raising Adani matter in Parliament: AAP googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday morning raided AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s home in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, officials said. Premises of some others connected to the case are also being covered, they said.
“They have been probing the alleged liquor scam for the last year but nothing has been found yet. Nothing will be found at Sanjay Singh’s residence. When someone is staring at defeat, they resort to desperate measures. That is what is happening right now,” Kejriwal told reporters during his visit to the Okhla landfill site. The chief minister said such raids will only increase as the election nears.”
ED, CBI, I-T and police agencies will become active as the elections come closer. Yesterday, it was journalists and today, it is Sanjay Singh. Many such raids will happen. But there is no need to be scared,” he added.
On the Supreme Court hearing his former deputy Manish Sisodia’s bail plea, Kejriwal said, “The blessings of children are with him. We hope he will get justice from the Supreme Court today.”
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Opposition members continue relay protest in House over Sanjay Singh’s suspension
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The members of the united opposition, INDIA, continued their relay protest on Tuesday demanding the revocation of suspension of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh from Rajya Sabha. Singh, along with other opposition MPs, has been sitting in protest before the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex after his suspension on Monday.
The protesting MPs, along with Sanjay Singh, could be seen holding ‘Save Manipur’ placards, with the Opposition insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on Manipur before any discussion on the issue.
Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said the Opposition MPs have been taking turns to sit on the dharna.
Speaking to this newspaper, Dev said that the INDIA allies will continue the sit-in protest until the suspension is revoked.
“We have made a roster for two-hour turns. We can’t miss the proceedings of the House also. Still, all the members ensure that at least 10 members will be present throughout the day and night,” said Dev.
ALSO READ | Opposition front INDIA plans no confidence motion in Lok Sabha
AAP MP Sanjay Singh with other opposition MPs protest demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the ongoing crisis in Manipur, at Parliament House complex during the Monsoon session, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Supriya Sule of NCP, A Raja of DMK, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Manoj Jha of RJD, NK Premachandran of RSP, Gaurav Gogoi (Congress), Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan of JDU, and Elamaram Kareem (CPM) and A M Ariff (CPM) were among the leaders who sat in the protest.
Earlier on Tuesday, the alliance party leaders met at Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber and decided to continue the protest till Singh’s suspension is revoked.
Singh was suspended from the Upper House for the rest of the monsoon session by chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for repeatedly ‘violating’ the directives of the chair, while protesting on the Manipur issue. Now the MP cannot attend the rest of the session.
“We will continue the protest till the suspension is revoked. We are sitting on a rotational basis. At Kharge’s meeting too, we decided to continue the protest as the government is not making any effort to end the impasse,” said Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem.
ALSO READ | Government is not afraid to discuss Manipur: Home Minister Shah in Lok Sabha
The decision to hold a day-and-night sit-in protest was taken immediately after Singh’s suspension, said Kareem. “We have met the Rajya Sabha chairman and requested him to revoke the suspension. Even Kharge spoke to the chairman about it. But, no action was taken. The decision to hold a relay protest was taken by leaders of all parties,” said Kareem.
The opposition’s goal is to keep focus on the Manipur issue, said another leader.
“All Sanjay Singh was asking was a statement from the PM. We demand to revoke his suspension. It is time for the PM to speak on the Manipur issue as it’s a constitutional crisis,” said the leader.
Both Houses of Parliament have not been functioning over the Manipur issue.
NEW DELHI: The members of the united opposition, INDIA, continued their relay protest on Tuesday demanding the revocation of suspension of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh from Rajya Sabha. Singh, along with other opposition MPs, has been sitting in protest before the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex after his suspension on Monday.
The protesting MPs, along with Sanjay Singh, could be seen holding ‘Save Manipur’ placards, with the Opposition insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on Manipur before any discussion on the issue.
Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said the Opposition MPs have been taking turns to sit on the dharna.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
Speaking to this newspaper, Dev said that the INDIA allies will continue the sit-in protest until the suspension is revoked.
“We have made a roster for two-hour turns. We can’t miss the proceedings of the House also. Still, all the members ensure that at least 10 members will be present throughout the day and night,” said Dev.
ALSO READ | Opposition front INDIA plans no confidence motion in Lok Sabha
AAP MP Sanjay Singh with other opposition MPs protest demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the ongoing crisis in Manipur, at Parliament House complex during the Monsoon session, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Supriya Sule of NCP, A Raja of DMK, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Manoj Jha of RJD, NK Premachandran of RSP, Gaurav Gogoi (Congress), Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan of JDU, and Elamaram Kareem (CPM) and A M Ariff (CPM) were among the leaders who sat in the protest.
Earlier on Tuesday, the alliance party leaders met at Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber and decided to continue the protest till Singh’s suspension is revoked.
Singh was suspended from the Upper House for the rest of the monsoon session by chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for repeatedly ‘violating’ the directives of the chair, while protesting on the Manipur issue. Now the MP cannot attend the rest of the session.
“We will continue the protest till the suspension is revoked. We are sitting on a rotational basis. At Kharge’s meeting too, we decided to continue the protest as the government is not making any effort to end the impasse,” said Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem.
ALSO READ | Government is not afraid to discuss Manipur: Home Minister Shah in Lok Sabha
The decision to hold a day-and-night sit-in protest was taken immediately after Singh’s suspension, said Kareem. “We have met the Rajya Sabha chairman and requested him to revoke the suspension. Even Kharge spoke to the chairman about it. But, no action was taken. The decision to hold a relay protest was taken by leaders of all parties,” said Kareem.
The opposition’s goal is to keep focus on the Manipur issue, said another leader.
“All Sanjay Singh was asking was a statement from the PM. We demand to revoke his suspension. It is time for the PM to speak on the Manipur issue as it’s a constitutional crisis,” said the leader.
Both Houses of Parliament have not been functioning over the Manipur issue.
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With regional cuisines and morning tea, suspended MPs spend night in Parliament complex
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Braving mosquitoes and the heat, some of the suspended MPs like CPI’s Santosh Kumar, AAP’s Sanjay Singh spent the night beside the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex.
TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present on the site till post midnight With no permission for a tent granted by the authorities, five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 MPs, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.
“50 hour non-stop dharna by Opposition MPs. 21 hours done. 29 hours to go.”
“Revoke suspension of 24 MPs. Discuss,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.
In the morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protest will continue.
The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.
They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session.
The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.
The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
“Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action: Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue.
Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.
While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.
“Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50-hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.
“There’s a 170% increase in the suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.
“We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.
The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.
“The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.”
“It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”
Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.
In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.
However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing the price rise.
With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.
Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties was created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.
While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK.
Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.
On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.
Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.
In fact, parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.
The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.
From curd rice to ‘gajar ka halwa’, Opposition parties arrange regional cuisine for 50-hour protest
From curd rice and idli-sambhar to chicken tandoori, ‘gajar ka halwa’ and fruits, Opposition parties are taking turns to arrange regional cuisine for MPs on a 50-hour relay protest against their suspension and demanding discussion on price rise.
In a show of solidarity and political strength, the Opposition parties have come together to create a duty roster for the protest with every party taking responsibility for making arrangements, including food, for those sitting on the dharna.
The roster is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group, keeping everyone in the loop about the day’s arrangements.
Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members started the protest inside the Parliament complex on Wednesday, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.
The MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through the night, said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended.
Those suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The parties which will be a part of the protests include the TMC, DMK, AAP, TRS, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, CPIM, CPI, JMM and the Kerala Congress.
Sources said the parties have decided that they will try to arrange regional cuisines for the MPs for their meals.
On Wednesday, the MPs had idli-sambhar for breakfast which was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.
The lunch of curd rice was also arranged by the DMK.
The menu for dinner is roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori, courtesy of the TMC.
DMK’s Kanimozhi, who was instrumental in planning the roster, came to the protest site carrying ‘gajar ka halwa’, while TMC arranged for fruits and sandwiches.
On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS for lunch and the AAP would arrange dinner.
The AAP was also in charge of erecting a tent for the MPs to shield them from the scorching sun but permission for it was denied by the authorities.
Sources said that the parties have taken it upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns sitting at the protest site for one to two hours in support of those who have been suspended.
Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Mahua Majhi and leaders of Nationalist Congress Party — none of whose members have been suspended — have given their time to sit with the protesting MPs as a mark of solidarity.
The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request for a tent being denied by authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.
The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.
Opposition leaders said the authorities have fully cooperated with them to arrange a security team and cleaning staff for the protesting MPs.
Arrangements have also been made for their exit and entry.
While Congress and the other opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed that they had come together on the issue of price rise.
Senior Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh visited the protest site and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the opposition parties.
NEW DELHI: Braving mosquitoes and the heat, some of the suspended MPs like CPI’s Santosh Kumar, AAP’s Sanjay Singh spent the night beside the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex.
TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present on the site till post midnight With no permission for a tent granted by the authorities, five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 MPs, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.
“50 hour non-stop dharna by Opposition MPs. 21 hours done. 29 hours to go.”
“Revoke suspension of 24 MPs. Discuss,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.
In the morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protest will continue.
The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.
They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session.
The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.
The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
“Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action: Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue.
Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.
While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.
“Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50-hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.
“There’s a 170% increase in the suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.
“We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.
The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.
“The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.”
“It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”
Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.
In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.
However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing the price rise.
With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.
Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties was created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.
While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK.
Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.
On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.
Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.
In fact, parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.
The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.
From curd rice to ‘gajar ka halwa’, Opposition parties arrange regional cuisine for 50-hour protest
From curd rice and idli-sambhar to chicken tandoori, ‘gajar ka halwa’ and fruits, Opposition parties are taking turns to arrange regional cuisine for MPs on a 50-hour relay protest against their suspension and demanding discussion on price rise.
In a show of solidarity and political strength, the Opposition parties have come together to create a duty roster for the protest with every party taking responsibility for making arrangements, including food, for those sitting on the dharna.
The roster is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group, keeping everyone in the loop about the day’s arrangements.
Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members started the protest inside the Parliament complex on Wednesday, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.
The MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through the night, said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended.
Those suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The parties which will be a part of the protests include the TMC, DMK, AAP, TRS, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, CPIM, CPI, JMM and the Kerala Congress.
Sources said the parties have decided that they will try to arrange regional cuisines for the MPs for their meals.
On Wednesday, the MPs had idli-sambhar for breakfast which was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.
The lunch of curd rice was also arranged by the DMK.
The menu for dinner is roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori, courtesy of the TMC.
DMK’s Kanimozhi, who was instrumental in planning the roster, came to the protest site carrying ‘gajar ka halwa’, while TMC arranged for fruits and sandwiches.
On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS for lunch and the AAP would arrange dinner.
The AAP was also in charge of erecting a tent for the MPs to shield them from the scorching sun but permission for it was denied by the authorities.
Sources said that the parties have taken it upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns sitting at the protest site for one to two hours in support of those who have been suspended.
Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Mahua Majhi and leaders of Nationalist Congress Party — none of whose members have been suspended — have given their time to sit with the protesting MPs as a mark of solidarity.
The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request for a tent being denied by authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.
The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.
Opposition leaders said the authorities have fully cooperated with them to arrange a security team and cleaning staff for the protesting MPs.
Arrangements have also been made for their exit and entry.
While Congress and the other opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed that they had come together on the issue of price rise.
Senior Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh visited the protest site and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the opposition parties.
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Agnipath scheme will create ‘dreadful’ situation in country: AAP MP Sanjay Singh writes to PM Modi
By PTI
NEW DELHI: AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to “immediately” roll back the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, claiming that the country will face a “dreadful situation” if it is implemented.
Flagging a host of deficiencies in the scheme, Singh claimed that its implementation would “destroy” the basic structure and capability of the army with recruitment of soldiers and their deployment after merely six months of training.
With the scheme offering a short-term service with no pension and other benefits, Singh claimed, anti-national and criminal outfits may mislead and use against the country and the society those who would not get any job and face financial hardships after coming out of the forces on completion of four years of their service.
ALSO READ| Some people ‘spreading anarchy’ to ‘remove’ PM: Ramdev on Agnipath protests
“It is astonishing that the government is preparing to deploy crores of youths in front of the enemy’s bayonets by providing them merely six months of training,” The AAP MP said in his letter to the prime minister.
The country’s army today have such soldiers on the borders that no power in the world can compete with them because they underwent “one-and-a-half to two years” of rigorous and efficient training after their recruitment, Singh said.
“Without adequate training, what will our youth be able to do other than endangering their lives as well as the security and sovereignty of the country?” he asked.
He also urged the prime minister to think what would be the state of mind of the jawans to be recruited under the Agnipath scheme and deployed on the borders, asking will they have “the morale to give a befitting reply to the enemy” when they are worried every moment about their future after completion of four years of their service.
He also urged the prime minister to consider what will happen if a soldier, who is recruited under the scheme and trained in handling all types weapons, is misled by anti-national and criminal outfits after he returns home after completing four years of service and faces financial hardships while being unemployed.
ALSO READ| Agnipath scheme in a real sense is a scam meant to inflame India’s youth, says Kanhaiya Kumar
“(If that happens) what a big challenge it can become for the internal security of the country and peace of the society. Certainly, efforts will be made by the anti-national and criminal outfits to mislead these young youths and use them against the country and society taking advantage of their financial hardships,” Singh said.
The AAP MP said the implementation of the scheme will push crores of youths of the country into “the dark lane of despair and depression”. “In the coming years, this scheme will create such a dreadful situation in the country that perhaps the government and its machinery of that time will have to deploy all its energy in dealing with it,” he added.
Singh termed the roll-out of the scheme “an outrageous move and a foolish decision” and accused the Narendra Modi government of going ahead with such a military recruitment plan just to make a claim through “this short-cut” that it provided jobs to lakhs of people in one stroke.
The AAP leader dubbed the rollout of the Agnipath scheme “petty political trickery” and urged the prime minister to “immediately withdraw this black scheme”.
He said that India is caught in “the vicious cycle” of economic depression, inflation and unemployment as the Narendra Modi government has failed “miserably” in bringing the country’s economy back on track due to its wrong policies.
“In such a situation, in some way you want to reduce the pension bill of the army. That is why you are deciding to do away with the pension of army personnel through Agnipath scheme,” he charged in his letter to the prime minister.
“I would like to suggest to you that the thousands of crores which your government is spending every year on your image building, glorification and advertisement, if that expenditure is stopped, then the exchequer will get a lot of relief,” he added.
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Akhilesh Yadav meets AAP UP incharge, holds ‘strategic discussion’ for 2022 polls
By PTI
LUCKNOW: A day after meeting Rastriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chowdhury, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday met AAP Uttar Pradesh incharge Sanjay Singh and held a “strategic discussion” for the 2022 state assembly polls.
“A strategic discussion (rannitik charcha) was held on the common agenda to make UP corruption-free and get rid of the government under which the law and order collapsed,” Singh told reporters after the meeting here.
About an alliance with the SP, Singh said, “The discussion has just started. A good meaningful discussion was held. We will let you know later.”
The AAP leader had earlier also met Akhilesh Yadav but had said his party will contest the UP elections alone.
Singh was present at a book release programme of SP leader Ramgopal Yadav on Tuesday here in which party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav were also present.
Akhilesh Yadav had met the RLD chief on Tuesday to discuss seat-sharing for the upcoming polls.
“Badhte Kadam,” Chaudhary had said on his official Twitter handle and also posted a photograph with Akhilesh Yadav.
Later in a tweet, the Samajwadi leader had said, “Shri Jayant Chaudhary ji ke saath badlav ke ore (With Jayant for change).”
Akhilesh Yadav in his statements has repeatedly said the SP is open for alliance with smaller parties.
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AAP MP claims Vistara flight narrowly avoided accident in Bhubaneswar; Scindia promises action
By PTI
NEW DELHI: AAP MP Sanjay Singh claimed that a Vistara flight narrowly avoided accident while landing at the Bhubaneswar airport on Wednesday, following which Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia promised action.
The flight UK785 departed from Delhi at 7 am and reached Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar around 9 am on Wednesday.
The Rajya Sabha MP tweeted, “Today, Vistara flight’s landing in Bhubaneswar shook the soul of the passengers and it narrowly avoided an accident.”
“Please take some other work from the pilot otherwise some major incident may happen. Vistara management and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia sir, please take note,” Singh added.
In response, Scindia stated on Twitter, “Sanjay ji, we will take appropriate steps after investigating this matter. Thank you for bringing the incident to notice.”
However, Vistara did not respond to PTI’s request for a statement on the matter.
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No hope for justice in Lakhimpur case till Ajay Mishra is a minister: AAP MP Sanjay Singh
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Justice is not possible in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case so long as the father of accused Ashish continues to remain a Union minister, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said Sunday, demanding the sacking of Ajay Kumar Mishra as a minister of state for home affairs.
He alleged the BJP and the Yogi Adityanath government “tried their best to save” Mishra’s son Ashish but he had to be arrested as no other option was left before the Uttar Pradesh government after the Supreme Court intervened in the matter.
“As long as Ajay Mishra continues to remain a minister of state for home affairs, justice cannot be done in this case,” Singh, who has been camping in Uttar Pradesh, said in a video message.
Late on Saturday night, Ashish was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police after around 12 hours of questioning, and produced before a local court that sent him to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the October 3 violence in Lakhimpur during a farmers’ protest.
Eight persons, which included four farmers and a journalist, were killed in the incident of violence.
Ashish was named an accused in an FIR following allegations that he was in one of the vehicles that mowed down the four farmers protesting over Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.
“The BJP and Adityanath Ji’s government tried their best to save Ajay Mishra’s son.
However, following the Supreme Court’s reprimand, he was interrogated and arrested as no other option was left,” the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.
Targeting the Union government, Singh also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the Lakhimpur violence and asked why Ajay Kumar Mishra has not yet been dismissed as minister of state for home affairs yet.
“After the independence of India, this incident of crushing the farmers like insects reminds us of the rule of General Dyer .
Didn’t he (prime minister) see those pictures? Didn’t he see that heart-wrenching incident?” Singh asked The AAP leader claimed that family members of the farmers and the journalist who were killed in the incident are also not “hopeful” of getting justice in the case until Ajay Kumar Mishra is removed from his ministerial post.
“The son (Ashish Mishra) has been arrested.
The entire country is now asking the government when the minister will be dismissed from his post,” he said.
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Lakhimpur Kheri: AAP’s Sanjay Singh urges PM Modi to meet family members of farmers
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Lakhimpur Kheri and meet the family members of the farmers who were killed in the recent violence there.
In a letter, the AAP leader also urged the prime minister to take along with him leaders of all political parties.
“I would urge you with folded hands that in this great hour of grief and sorrow, you should change your intention of organising any festival and visit Lakhimpur Kheri with the leaders of all the parties to meet family members of the farmers who were brutally crushed under the car of your minister and murdered for no reason,” Singh said in his letter.
“Sitting among those families, you should repent, apologise, sack your minister immediately, arrest the culprits and, being the head of the council of ministers, take the responsibility for this incident… Not only UP but the whole country is also immersed in mourning and shock, how can you celebrate a festival,” he questioned Modi.
The remarks came at a time the prime minister was in Lucknow to inaugurate the ‘Azadi@75 – New Urban India: Transforming Urban Landscape’ conference-cum-expo and also to launch development projects.
Singh, joined by his party workers, has been sitting on a ‘dharna’ in Uttar Pradesh since the state police stopped him at Biswan in Sitapur while he was en route to Lakhimpur Kheri in the early hours of Monday to meet the family members of the farmers.
Eight people died and several others were injured on Sunday in the bloodiest clash since the farmers’ protest over the Centre agri laws began last year.
Four of the dead were farmers, allegedly knocked down by vehicles driven by BJP workers travelling to welcome Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
There were two BJP workers, a local journalist and a Union minister’s driver, allegedly pulled out of the vehicles and then lynched by the protesters.
Two cars were set on fire.