Opposition allege MPs not allowed to pay tribute to CDS Rawat, TMC stages walkout

Dec. 9: In a welcome gesture, opposition parties on Thursday called off their protest in Parliament over the suspension of 12 lawmakers as a mark of respect to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 12 others who died in an air crash on Wednesday. However, in Rajya Sabha, war of words broke out after Opposition Members of Parliament were not allowed by the chairperson to pay tribute to late General Bipin Rawat and others who lost their lives in the Coonoor chopper crash.

“After Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Rajya Sabha, the Opposition demanded one-two minutes for each MP to pay tribute to General Bipin Rawat and others who died in the chopper crash. But we were not allowed. It is unfortunate and we condemn this attitude,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.

The members of ⁦⁦parliament of Rajya Sabha ⁦@AITCofficial⁩ walked out in protest of the fact that the Chair did not allow any opposition party to condole the tragic death CDS & 12 others on record. Mourning is also monopolised by this regime. pic.twitter.com/qZi6NXuYaW

— Sushmita Dev সুস্মিতা দেব (@SushmitaDevAITC) December 9, 2021

Speaking outside the House, TMC MP Sushmita Dev said, “Today the entire opposition stood with the nation in mourning the tragic loss of Bipin Rawat CDS, his wife and others who were in the crash. The Vice Chairman of the Rajya denied the opposition an opportunity to pay their tribute. All India Trinamool Congress Members walked out in protest.”