New Delhi, March 16: Trinamool Congress (TMC) members in the Rajya Sabha staged a walkout on Monday. They protested against the Election Commission’s decision to remove senior officials in West Bengal. The TMC MPs expressed their dissent by leaving the house for the entire day.
Notably, the announcement for the West Bengal Assembly elections has been made. The Election Commission officially declared the elections on Sunday. Shortly after the Rajya Sabha proceedings began on Monday, TMC MP Derek O’Brien raised the issue in the house.
He requested Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan for 30 seconds, stating, “We do not wish to disrupt Zero Hour, as our intention is not to obstruct the proceedings.” O’Brien highlighted that in the dark of the previous night, the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, and Home Secretary of West Bengal were removed by the Election Commission. He acknowledged that the Commission has the authority to take such actions.
O’Brien remarked, “Sir, they (the Election Commission) have the right to do this. They can even dictate what color shirt I should wear.”
The TMC MP stated that his party, All India Trinamool Congress, was walking out of the house in protest against the actions of the Chief Election Commissioner in West Bengal. Following O’Brien’s statement and the subsequent walkout by TMC members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stood up to respond.
He noted that the honorable member (Derek O’Brien) suddenly raised an issue not listed on the agenda. Rijiju emphasized that this matter pertains to a constitutional authority, which has no direct relation to the house or the government. He stated, “If every member starts questioning the decisions of constitutional authorities like the court or the Election Commission here, it would not be appropriate. The powers of the Election Commission are distinct.”
The Election Commission derives its authority from the Constitution. Therefore, Rijiju argued, there is no justification for raising this issue in the house. He expressed, “I believe everyone should respect constitutional institutions. However, the All India Trinamool Congress and the Indian National Congress have developed a habit of attacking these institutions. This is not right and has also led to a misuse of the house’s time.”
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