Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: ‘Let them suspend all of us and let Modi complete his century’

“The new Modi government guarantee will be this: ‘Till Modi is around, the voice of the people will not be heard in Parliament,’” says Congress’s Lok Sabha floor leader.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was one of the 33 Lok Sabha MPs suspended on Monday. (PTI photo)

Congress Lok Sabha floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is among the 78 Opposition MPs suspended from Parliament on Monday. This is a record number of suspensions of parliamentarians in a day and also in a session (92 suspended till now). In an interview, Chowdhury says that the government “does not want to run Parliament” and does not have an “iota of interest in the parliamentary system”.

You were among the MPs suspended today. The total number of suspensions this session is 92.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: In a way, I am happy. I was feeling bad that many of my colleagues were suspended and that I was sitting inside. But on a serious note, (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi is heading towards striking a century in terms of suspensions of Opposition MPs. It will be a new record. The new Modi government guarantee will be this: ‘Till Modi is around, the voice of the people will not be heard in Parliament.’

Why do you think the government is resorting to such an extreme step?

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: This is nothing but ego and arrogance about the BJP doing whatever it wants irrespective of whether the House functions or not and whether democratic traditions are being kept alive or not.

Parliamentary democracy in India is heading towards its nadir. The government believes in totalitarianism. Today it is the MPs, tomorrow it will be the turn of common people. This is foreboding of what India is going to face in the near future.

Do you think the suspension of a large number of opposition MPs will evoke any sympathy among the common people?

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: The media is now toeing the line of the government and dancing to its tune. All sorts of measures will be adopted to distort the facts and figures. We (the Opposition) do not have the kind of reach the ruling regime does. We are certainly lagging behind a little in this regard.

But the common people will realise the situation soon. The BJP’s fascism will grow. The ruling regime is simply trying to portray itself as popular and muscular; it is a very toxic combination.

Also read | Gaurav Gogoi on suspension of MPs: ‘This blemish on Home Minister’s record (LS breach) cannot be washed away by his silence’

Opposition MPs were suspended even during Congress rule. In 1989, 63 Lok Sabha were suspended in a day.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: Comparisons are not right. You have to see the circumstances, the relevancy, and the issues. It (the present situation) is related to a serious security lapse in Parliament. We have been cooperating with this government since day one of this session. You can see the productivity data of this session. The security breach was quite grave and our simple demand was for the Home Minister to make a statement. In 2001, the then Home Minister L K Advani had made a statement in Parliament after the December 13 attack.

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What is going to be the opposition strategy now? Are you going to boycott the rest of the session?

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: It will be decided at the meeting of Opposition floor leaders convened by Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday. All stakeholders will be consulted. The government does not want to run Parliament. They do not have an iota of interest in the parliamentary system. They do not care for norms, precedents and traditions. The PM and Home Minister chose to speak about the security breach during interactions with the media. But they are not willing to say a word in the House. Such behaviour is antithetical to parliamentary protocols. The Opposition will continue to protest. Let them suspend all of us and let Modi complete his century.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More