Federal structure of India under big threat: TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said in the Lok Sabha that the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect among MPs of various political parties that was earlier prevailing in Parliament was now lacking.

It is not a good sign and this should change as the MPs move to the new Parliament building, said the TMC leader while participating in the discussion in Lok Sabha on "Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings".

Bandyopadhyay also said that earlier PMs used to reply to queries of MPs during the Question Hour but this has not happened in the last 10 years.

He called upon Opposition members to rededicate themselves to defending democracy and commit themselves to building a new India on the strong foundations of "secularism and federalism".

"We must say long live secularism and federalism. The federal structure of the country is under big threat. West Bengal is one of the major victims," he said.

He also spoke against any attempt "to create division between India and Bharat", adding, "We firmly stand by both".