In a dramatic turn of events at the Rajya Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha has been suspended from the Upper House following allegations of violating parliamentary rules and breaching privilege. The motion for Chadha’s suspension was initiated by Piyush Goyal, who accused Chadha of unethical behavior.
The controversy surrounds Chadha’s alleged inclusion of the names of five Rajya Sabha MPs – S Phangnon Konyak, Narhari Amin, Sudhanshu Trivedi of the BJP, M Thambidurai of AIADMK, and Sasmit Patra of BJD – in a select committee without their prior consent. The MPs in question claimed that their names were added without authorization, leading to accusations of Chadha’s breach of privilege.
Piyush Goyal, while moving the motion for suspension, criticized Chadha’s conduct, labeling it unexpected and unbecoming of a member of Parliament. Goyal emphasized that Chadha’s actions not only violated rules but also cast a shadow over the integrity of the parliamentary process.
Chadha, on the other hand, refuted the allegations, asserting that an MP has the right to propose names for committee formations without requiring written consent or signatures from the individuals being nominated. Using an analogy, Chadha likened the situation to inviting guests to a party, stating that not everyone might attend but the invitation itself is extended in good faith.
However, Chadha’s response did little to quell the controversy. Instead of expressing remorse for the alleged ethical lapse, he seemingly ridiculed the concerns raised by fellow parliamentarians regarding the inclusion of their names. Piyush Goyal highlighted this behavior during the suspension motion, describing Chadha’s subsequent tweet on the issue as unbecoming of a parliamentarian.
Furthermore, the suspension motion brought to light another issue, as Goyal addressed Chadha’s comments regarding the suspension of his colleague Sanjay Singh. Chadha had reportedly mischaracterized the reason for Singh’s suspension, which Goyal highlighted as an attempt to deflect from the ongoing situation.
The backdrop of this controversy involves the Delhi Services Bill, which Chadha allegedly attempted to send to a select committee. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had accused Chadha of forging the signatures of the five MPs to move the bill forward. AAP countered the allegations, stating that since no signatures were required, there was no forgery involved.
The suspension of Raghav Chadha from the Rajya Sabha underscores the significance of ethical conduct and adherence to parliamentary norms. The ongoing investigation by the committee of privileges will determine the extent of Chadha’s involvement and whether he indeed violated parliamentary rules. Until then, the suspension remains in effect, casting a shadow over the AAP MP’s political career and prompting broader discussions about the responsibilities and accountability of elected representatives in India’s legislative system.
Sources By Agencies
