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TMC MP Shantanu Sen suspended from Rajya Sabha for rest of monsoon session

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the third time on Friday, till 2.30 pm

santanusenf Rajya Sabha MP Shantanu Sen

TMC MP Shantanu Sen was suspended from the Rajya Sabha on Friday for the remaining period of the monsoon session after a motion moved by the government was passed by the House.

Soon after the obituary references and laying of papers, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan moved a motion for Sen's suspension after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) member snatched papers from Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and tore those in the House on Thursday.

The motion was passed by a voice vote and Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked Sen to leave the House.

The TMC members protested and raised objection to the manner in which the motion was brought without listing it in the day's business.

TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray raised the issue of Sen being threatened by a minister, but the chairman said it happened after the House was adjourned. 

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the third time on Friday, till 2.30 pm, as the Chair asked Trinamool Congress (TMC) Santanu Sen to withdraw from the House who remained present despite his suspension for the remaining period of the Monsoon Session.

When the House reassembled at 12.30 pm following a second adjournment, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, asked Sen to withdraw from the Rajya Sabha. The TMC member remained present in the House.

In the meantime, several opposition MPs, including the leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise certain issues. Many of the opposition members were on their feet also. However, the deputy chairman adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm.

According to a convention, no business is transacted in the Rajya Sabha if a suspended member continues to be present in the House.

In the morning, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan had moved a motion for Sen's suspension after the TMC member snatched papers from Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw that contained his statement on the Pegasus snooping row and tore those in the House on Thursday.

The motion was passed by a voice vote.

Congress and other opposition members also demanded a discussion on the Pegasus spyware issue and created an uproar.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House till 12 noon. At 12 noon, the proceedings were adjourned till 12.30 pm. 

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