NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expression of displeasure on absentee MPs in two Houses of Parliament appears becoming frequent. One more time, Prime Minister expressed his displeasure on absentee MPs in his speech in Parliamentary Party meeting on Thursday. He reportedly cautioned such law-makers by stating that the party chief Amit Shah has now entered Parliament.
Modi had been calling upon the MPs to attend the sittings of both the Houses of Parliament since Budget session of Parliament when it emerged that the issue of lack of quorum was becoming more frequent. The issue of absentee MPs embarrassed the BJP last week after the Opposition forced the passage of an amendment in the crucial Constitution OBC amendment Bill, which seeks to give Constitutional status to the OBC Commission. It was found that 30 MPs of the BJP were not present in the Rajya Sabha when voting was taken up on the crucial legislative proposal.
In the last Parliamentary party meeting, the BJP chief had reportedly expressed his anguish over the absentee MPs, as the Prime Minister was abroad. On Thursday, Prime Minister took up the issue again and cautioned the MPs that since Shah is now in the Parliament they should be watchful. “Amit Shah is now here. Your leisure time is over,” Modi told the MPs, while adding in the same vein that individuals are nothing as the party is everything.
The Prime Minister also feted Shah for his maiden victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. Shah along with Union Minister Smriti Irani was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. Prime Minister also hailed the three years of Shah as president of the party, saying he helped BJP achieve many successes. Modi even quipped that Shah revived the Jansangh culture of hard work in the party.