In a significant development during the monsoon session of Parliament, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh faced suspension from the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The suspension was imposed by Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar after a motion, proposed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal and backed by the House, was passed, leading to Singh’s suspension for the remainder of the current session.
The suspension came as a consequence of Singh’s repeated “violations” of the directives of the chair. The trigger for this action was his persistent demands, along with other opposition members, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the Manipur issue in the Rajya Sabha. However, their demands were not entertained, and when the Question Hour commenced, Singh chose to protest by moving to the Well of the House.
Initially, Singh was urged to return to his seat, but he refused to comply, leading the chairman to take stern action. Jagdeep Dhankar promptly named Sanjay Singh, signalling the start of a motion to suspend him from the ongoing session. Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that Singh’s behavior of disrupting the House and occupying the Well was a violation of parliamentary ethics and rules. Goyal, on behalf of the government, moved a motion to suspend Singh for the entire duration of the session.
The motion to suspend Sanjay Singh was met with approval from the House, with members raising their hands and voicing their support through a vote. Consequently, the chairman announced Singh’s suspension, which would last until the end of the current session. Reacting to the suspension, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed his dismay at the decision, labeling it as unfortunate. Despite this, he asserted that if Singh’s suspension was a consequence of him standing up for the truth, they were not disheartened. Nevertheless, the party conveyed its disapproval of the disciplinary action taken against one of its senior leaders.
The suspension of a senior AAP leader for the duration of the monsoon session has added a layer of tension to the ongoing parliamentary proceedings. As the session continues, the government and opposition parties find themselves locked in debates and discussions on crucial issues that require attention and resolution. As the suspended AAP leader remains barred from participating in the parliamentary affairs, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the dynamics within the House and affect discussions on important matters that demand the attention of the nation’s lawmakers.