Speaker cracks whip in Lok Sabha, says MPs who cross over to other side will face suspension; bans placards

New Delhi: Sending out a stern message, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said members from Opposition and Treasury sides who cross over to the other side during the time of uproar in the House will be suspended for the Session. Birla’s announcement in the House came a day after some Congress and BJP members pushed and shoved each other in the House as tempers rose over the issue of violence in Delhi. Opposition members sought to raise the issue of Delhi violence as soon as the Speaker decided to take up the Question Hour. Citing earlier discussions among various parties, the Speaker said it was decided that however serious the issue is, the same can be raised during the Zero Hour. [caption id=“attachment_7964261” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. PTI[/caption] There should be cooperation among members so that the House can function well. Referring to an all-party meeting, Birla said he is giving a ruling that any member who crosses over to the other side during proceedings would be suspended from attending the House for the remaining session. Such action would be taken against members from Treasury as well as Opposition sides, he said. Opposition members, including from Congress, DMK, TMC and other parties, wanted a discussion on Delhi violence. DMK’s TR Baalu said the government is yet to respond on the issue in Parliament while Congress leader in the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded an immediate discussion. Amid the uproar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Opposition can raise the matter during the Zero Hour. Emphasising that “restoration of peace and normalcy” is the topmost priority, Joshi said, “charcha ke liye taiyyar hai (we are ready for a discussion)”. However, Opposition members were not satisfied and demanded that there should be an immediate discussion. In response, Joshi said the Speaker should decide. Later, Birla also said that placards would not be allowed in the House, triggering protests from the Opposition side. A visibly peeved Speaker wanted to know from the agitating members whether they wanted that placards should be allowed in the House. “Does it work that way?,” Birla asked agitating members and amid the ruckus, adjourned the House till noon. As soon as the House convened, many ruling party members shouted ‘Vande Mataram’. For some time, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was seen sitting in the front row of the Treasury, next to Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Before proceedings began, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kishan Reddy was seen chatting with Baalu and a few others.