Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, stated that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress party have a habit of targeting constitutional bodies, and matters related to their constitutional authority have nothing to do with the government or Parliament.
Rijiju made these remarks following a walkout by the TMC in the Rajya Sabha during a heated exchange over the transfer of senior officials in West Bengal by the Election Commission ahead of the state assembly elections.
Defending the Election Commission's decision, Kiren Rijiju said that the issue being raised concerned a constitutional body, and neither the government nor Parliament had any role in its decisions.
He stated that it was inappropriate for members to question the decisions of institutions such as the courts and the Election Commission within the House. Rijiju added that the Election Commission has its own powers under the Constitution and operates independently.
Rijiju further stated that constitutional institutions should be respected and accused the TMC and the Congress Party of repeatedly attacking such institutions, which is not appropriate.
Rijiju also pointed out that raising such issues in the House has also wasted Parliament's time.
He also cautioned members against routinely questioning decisions of bodies such as the courts and the Election Commission within the House.
Rijiju further alleged that the opposition's conduct had resulted in a waste of valuable parliamentary time, and that the House's proceedings should not be disrupted over issues outside its domain.