BJP MPs observe fast in constituencies across city

Against what they alleged was blockage of parliamentary work and wastage of time by opposition parties during the Budget session

New Delhi, 12/04/2018: BJP Member of Parliament Meenakshi Lekhi with other pary workers observing a day long fast at Hanuman Mandir against the opposition stalling Parliament proceedings during the Budget Session, in New Delhi. Photo: V_V_Krishnan

As a mark of protest against what they alleged was blockage of parliamentary work and wastage of time by opposition parties during the Budget session, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Manoj Tiwari, Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri, Maheish Girri, Parvesh Verma, Udit Raj and Meenakshi Lekhi observed fast in their constituencies here on Thursday.

Union Ministers Suresh Prabhu, Uma Bharti, Smriti Irani, Narender Singh Tomar, Vijay Goel and K. J. Alphons, and the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly Vijender Gupta were among BJP leaders who visited the venues where the party’s MPs were fasting to enthuse party cadre. Mr. Tiwari, the Delhi BJP president and north-east Delhi MP, had decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike in protest against “politically-biased denial of development funds by the Delhi government to his parliamentary constituency”.

However, he later ended his fast after L-G’s assurance. His immediate concerns, a statement issued by the party said, included funds for a link loop at Shastri Park flyover to ease heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Dr. Vardhan, in his address to a gathering at Chandni Chowk, said the opposition parties stood “exposed before the electorate for their negative politics” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi “stands for development politics”, which was the reason behind the party was “gaining strength” in State after State. Dr. Raj said it was a matter of pride for Delhi that Mr. Tiwari was the “first to float the idea of no work, no pay for parliamentarians before the Prime Minister”, who accepted it.

Mr. Bidhuri alleged that the Congress “never believed in strengthening parliamentary discussions when in power” and even today continued to stall Parliament to “somehow stop discussion on crucial issues”.

Mr. Girri alleged that the way the opposition had “wasted Parliament’s precious time” the people of the country will “similarly decimate opposition parties in the next election”.

Ms. Lekhi said the day’s fast was dedicated to “establishing development and constructive politics in the country”.