Remaining absent from Parliament, especially on crucial days, earned several MPs Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s disapproval at the BJP’s Parliamentary Party meeting here on Tuesday.
As many as 25 MPs were admonished for their absence from Parliament during important occasions such as voting in the Lok Sabha on the crucial Land Bill. Soon after taking over, Mr. Modi had specified that indiscipline and absenteeism from Parliament would not be tolerated.
On Tuesday, the names of these absentee MPs were called out and they were asked for an explanation for remaining away from the House while important legislation was being discussed. According to sources, Mr. Modi asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu to list the names of those who were not present.
“The MPs whose names were read out had to stand and explain why they were away. One of them said there was a bereavement in the family, some had a wedding to attend, while a few others said they had applied for leave ... but the party brass has made it clear that instructions from the PM to remain present have to be followed,” a source told The Hindu .
