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Lalu Prasad Yadav and
Mulayam Singh Yadav addressing the media outside the Parliament |
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New Delhi:
It was a mock session in which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader
Gopinath Munde became “speaker” and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu
Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav became “prime
ministers”, but the exercise drew disapproval from Speaker Meira
Kumar.
The mock session happened soon after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for
the day following the uproar created by members over salary hike
demand and protest over passage of the medical council bill without
discussion.
In the mock session, during which BJP MP Maneka Gandhi spoke, debate
was held on the medical council bill.
Speaking to reporters later, Munde said it was a symbolic protest
against the way the government had rushed through the medical
council bill.
He said that there should have been discussion on the important
legislation.
“The MCI bill should have been passed after discussion. It is
against parliamentary traditions,” Munde said.
Answering queries, he denied that the mock session was a challenge
to the parliamentary system. “We not making any joke,” he said.
He said the party wanted that the opposition’s view should be taken
on the medical council bill and they will discuss the issue with the
chair Saturday.
He said the issue of salary hike of MPs did not figure in the mock
session, which lasted over 45 minutes.
BJP sources said the party had taken a dim view of the mock session.
Speaker Meira Kumar disapproved of the mock parliamentary
proceedings. Responding to queries, she said that the temple of
democracy should be treated with utmost reverence.
Lalu Prasad told reporters later that he was “elected prime Minister
for today”.
“We will see what is to be done tomorrow. I heard the views of the
house and the people’s government decided to reject outright the
bills cleared today,” he said, adding that “members of the new
government” will meet Tuesday at 10 a.m. to discuss bills and other
issues.
He said the government was acting in an “unconstitutional and
undemocratic” manner by clearing the bills without debate.
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