The Election Commission of India’s recent announcement of by-elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, which fell vacant following the resignations of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik — the three Trinamool Congress MPs who stepped down after the party’s debacle in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections — has brought the focus back on the former MPs and the BJP’s plans for them.
Eight newly-elected Rajya Sabha MPs, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP leader Tarun Chugh, took the oath as members of the Upper House on Monday. Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office to the new members.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh on Saturday demanded the immediate registration of an FIR against Champat Rai, former General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, over allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh launched a scathing attack on the Yogi Adityanath government over the Aliganj fire incident here.
Spokesperson of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and a Rajya Sabha MP told the media in Delhi that six MPs from his party were offered an additional Rs 10 crore to split away from the party and join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Both Houses of Parliament have listed the schedule of business for Wednesday with Union Home Minister to present a Bill -- for establishing “ Tribhuvan” Sahkari University -- in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha to discuss the working of the Ministry of Railways.
Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, however, clarified that his “thokenge” (thrashing) remark was not addressed to the Chair. He apologised to that Chair, stating that he apologised if Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who was in the Chair, was hurt by his remarks.
The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year.
The first part of the Budget session drew to a close on February 13.
Amid speculation that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal might seek a Rajya Sabha seat, Congress leader Udit Raj said that this move would not protect him from allegations and claimed that he was "destined" to go to Tihar jail.
