BJP MP alleges own party disrupted Parliament, wasted session

Lok Sabha member from Raichur, G. Kumar Naik, a legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Friday claimed that the 19-day Monsoon Session of Parliament was largely wasted due to the non-cooperation of his own party's MPs. He also held Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for failing to facilitate meaningful discussions on critical public issues.

Addressing a press conference in Yadgir, Mr. Naik said the BJP was attempting to portray opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress, as responsible for the disruptions. He asserted that the reality was the opposite. "BJP leaders are projecting the Opposition as the reason for the disruption, but the reality is that it was the BJP that obstructed the proceedings and prevented meaningful discussions," he said.

The MP cited the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi over the NEET issue as a key instance where the government avoided answering in Parliament. He said the Opposition had repeatedly sought a response from the Home Minister. "The students were subjected to lathi charge, water cannons, tear gas and even pellet guns. We witnessed the police action ourselves. We repeatedly demanded that the Home Minister come to Parliament and give an explanation, but he did not come to the House to answer," he alleged.

Mr. Naik described the final day of the session as evidence of the government's reluctance to address the issue. "On the last day, the Home Minister arrived at 10.55 a.m., and the Prime Minister followed a few minutes later. At 11 a.m., the Speaker arrived, and Vande Mataram was sung. As soon as it ended, the Speaker announced that the House was adjourned. The proceedings were over within three to four minutes," he said, adding that neither Mr. Modi nor Mr. Shah made any statement on the police action against the students.

He further stated that the session provided no adequate opportunity to deliberate on matters affecting ordinary citizens. "Not even a single day of the 19-day session was utilised properly for meaningful discussion. Parliament should have discussed the problems faced by the people, small entrepreneurs, farmers and workers, besides issues such as digital payment security and mining. The BJP prevented Parliament from becoming a platform for such discussions," he said.

Referring to a 'purification' ritual conducted at a public ground in Uttarakhand's Haldwani two days after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there, Mr. Naik expressed concern over the incident. "Mr. Kharge expressed his pain and anguish over what happened to him. What has happened to Mr. Kharge today could happen to me tomorrow and others the day after. It is difficult to tolerate the humiliation meted out to the Congress president, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha," he said.

Mr. Naik's remarks are notable as he is a member of the ruling party, and his criticism stands in contrast to the BJP's official stance that the Opposition caused the disruptions. His statements represent his personal assessment of the session's conduct.