Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress party are habitual in targeting the Constitutional bodies, and the matters related to their constitutional authority have nothing to do with the government or the Parliament.    

 

Mr Rijiju made these remarks after a TMC walkout in the Rajya Sabha during the heated exchange over the transfer of senior officers in West Bengal by the Election Commission ahead of the state assembly election.

 

Defending the Election Commission decision, Kiren Rijiju said the matter being raised was related to a constitutional body, and neither the government nor Parliament had any role in its decisions.

 

He said it was not right for members to question the decisions of institutions like the courts and the Election Commission in the House. The Minister said the Election Commission has its own powers under the Constitution and works independently.

 

The Minister further added that constitutional institutions should be respected and accused the TMC and Congress Party of repeatedly attacking such institutions, which is not right.

 

Mr Rijiju added that raising such issues in the House had also led to a waste of Parliament’s time.

 

He also cautioned members against routinely questioning decisions of bodies such as the courts and the Election Commission on the floor of the House.  

 

The minister further alleged that the Opposition’s conduct had resulted in a waste of valuable parliamentary time and said that the House’s proceedings should not be disrupted over issues outside its domain.