Opposition’s no-trust motion based on wrong format: RS Chairman Naidu

The rejection of the Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh is on the grounds that it is in “wrong format,” sources said.

“The motion is not in a proper format. It requires notice of 14 days,” Chairman of the House Venkaiah Naidu is reported to have said.

A dozen opposition parties that moved the motion reasoned that it was based on the manner in which the two farm bills were cleared by the Upper House on Sunday (September 20). The Deputy Chairperson had rejected the Opposition MPs’ demand for an adjournment of the proceedings.

Related news: Derek O’Brien, 7 others suspended for ruckus in Rajya Sabha over farm bills

The no-confidence resolution was signed by MPs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, RJD, TRS, NCP, AAP, CPI, CPI (M), JD (S), IUML and Kerala Congress (Mani).

“When the agitated members, on being denied the right for a division on a crucial Bill protested strongly, pointing out how gravely the bill is against the farmer’s interest, the Deputy Chairperson packed the House with security personnel deliberately designed to overawe and outnumber the members of the opposition,” a resolution by the Opposition MPs said.

Naidu said the scenes that unfolded in the House marked a ‘bad day’, and suspended eight MPs from opposition parties.

The passage of the two farm bills has triggered protests by the farmer bodies in Punjab and Haryana.

Hundreds of farmer unions across Punjab and Haryana have called for protests in the coming days, including a total shutdown on September 25, against the two agriculture bills passed by Parliament.

Angry farmers from Punjab led by the state’s Youth Congress unit attempted to break the barricades on Ambala-Mohali highway near the Punjab-Haryana border on Sunday after which police resorted to the use of force and water cannons to disperse them.

“The new laws imposed by the government… we are protesting against them. It will be a huge injustice if farmers won’t be given a choice about how to sell their produce,” said a farmer.

After the bills’ passage, Prime Minister Modi tweeted: “For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them.”

Related news: Farm bills cleared by voice vote amid ruckus in Parliament

Another tweet from him read: “I said it earlier and I say it once again: The System of MSP (Minimum Support Price) will remain. Government procurement will continue. We are here to serve our farmers. We will do everything possible to support them and ensure a better life for their coming generations”.