7 Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha

Seven Congress MPs have been suspended from Lok Sabha for the remaining period of the Budget session for their gross misconduct after they snatched papers from the Speaker’s table and utter disregard for House rules.

What is the reason for suspending an MP?

• The general principle is that it is the role and duty of the Speaker of Lok Sabha to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly.
• This is a daunting task even at the best of times.
• In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker is empowered to force a Member to withdraw from the House (for the remaining part of the day), or to place him/her under suspension.

What are the rules under which the Speaker acts?

• Rule Number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business says: “The Speaker, if is of the opinion that the conduct of any Member is grossly disorderly, may direct such Member to withdraw immediately from the House, and any Member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall remain absent during the remainder of the day’s sitting.”

To deal with more recalcitrant Members, the Speaker may take recourse to Rules 374 and 374A. Rule 374 says:

1. The Speaker may, if deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof.
2. If a Member is so named by the Speaker, the Speaker shall, on a motion being made forthwith put the question that the Member (naming such Member) be suspended from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.
3. A member suspended under this rule shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.”

What is the procedure for revocation of a Member’s suspension?

• While the Speaker is empowered to place a Member under suspension, the authority for revocation of this order is not vested in her. It is for the House, if it so desires, to resolve on a motion to revoke the suspension.
• What is the procedure for ending MP’s suspension?
• The Speaker has the right to suspend an MP, but he does not have the right to withdraw this suspension.
• This right can be returned to the House by a resolution, if desired.

History of suspension

• During the previous tenure of the Narendra Modi government, 45 MPs were suspended under this rule in January 2019.
• The then Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took action against the 45 TDP and AIADMK MPs who created a ruckus.
• He did this action in 2 consecutive days.
• On the first day, 24 members were suspended for 5 days and the next day 21 MPs were suspended for four days.
• In February 2014, the then Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar suspended 18 MPs from undivided Andhra Pradesh.
• These MPs were supporting or opposing the proposal regarding the existence of Telangana state.
• Meera Kumar suspended 12 MPs for five days in August 2013. Meera Kumar suspended 8 MPs in April 2012.
• During the Rajiv Gandhi government in March 1989, 63 MPs were suspended for three days.
• This was the largest act in terms of the number of MPs suspended.

PAPER-II