In a significant development, the suspension of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress floor leader, from the Lok Sabha is poised to be revoked within the upcoming days. This move comes as Chowdhury appeared before the House Privileges Committee on Wednesday, marking a pivotal step toward his potential reinstatement. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the committee has reached a decision to recommend the revocation of his suspension to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Once the Speaker’s office receives the recommendation, swift action is anticipated.
Chowdhury’s suspension, which was implemented on August 10, pending an investigation into alleged “gross and deliberate misconduct,” is related to his remarks during a debate on a non-confidence motion against the government. His comments pertained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” over the Manipur violence. Chowdhury has consistently maintained that his suspension was unwarranted, and he did not intend to cause harm with his words. He argued that if his comments were deemed inappropriate, they could have been expunged.
The Privileges Committee, led by Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Sunil Singh, also convened last week to deliberate on Chowdhury’s case. Although the panel acknowledged the gravity of the charges, individuals familiar with the proceedings indicated that his reinstatement might be considered due to his status as a senior parliamentarian.
An official source affirmed that the committee adheres closely to established conventions and rules. The source added that Chowdhury’s appearance before the committee was necessary to provide him with an opportunity to present his perspective.
Another Lok Sabha official emphasized the continued significance of Chowdhury within the political landscape. As both the largest Opposition party’s floor leader and the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Chowdhury’s role remains integral.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a five-term Member of Parliament, holds the distinction of being the first-floor leader of the primary Opposition party to face suspension from the House. The suspension followed his behavior during the debate on the no-confidence motion, which parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi criticized as inappropriate. Just two days later, Chowdhury expressed a sense of being “hanged” and subsequently required to face a trial-like situation.
As the proceedings progress, the potential revocation of Chowdhury’s suspension adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing dynamics of parliamentary conduct and the functioning of the Lok Sabha.
Sources By Agencies
