‘Unhappy’ PM Modi pulls up absent MPs after humiliation in RS

TNN

New Delhi, 05 Mar 2015: A day after the government faced embarrassment due to division of votes in Rajya Sabha over an amendment to the President’s address, an ’unhappy’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sought explanation from members of his party (BJP) and NDA allies for being absent from the Upper House at the crucial moment of voting. 

 

As many as 10 out of 46 BJP members and 12 from allies were absent in the House when the CPM members Sitaram Yechury and P Rajeeve moved the amendment and pressed for division of votes. The amendment was passed with 118 votes in favour and 57 against it. 

 

"All these members including couple of ministers who were absent in the House during voting have been asked to explain the reasons of their absence", said a source. 

 

Though their presence wouldn’t have made much difference as the NDA is in a minority in Rajya Sabha, the explanation should ensure that these members are present in full strength next time when such a situation arises. 

 

Since a number of bills are lined up for the Rajya Sabha in the ongoing budget session, such a situation cannot be ruled out. 

 

Besides 46 of BJP, the NDA has six members from TDP, three each from Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), two from PDP and one each from other smaller parties. 

 

The NDA could, however, get 57 votes during the division despite the absentees as members from the friendly AIADMK and couple of Independents voted against the amendment on Tuesday. 

 

Though the Opposition was also not present in the House in full strength, it could easily manage to sail through as members of almost all opposition parties including Congress, SP, BSP, Trinamool Congress, DMK, BJD, JD(U) and CPI voted for the CPM’s amendment.