Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge
The Congress party on Monday objected to an officer allegedly taking notes and counting the number of the opposition members during the Question Hour in the Parliament and alleged that he was carrying out "surveillance". Grand old party's allegation forced Lok Sabha speaker to intervene in the matter.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan then assured the Congress MPs that she would look into the matter.
Bringing the attention of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to the issue, Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge said: "An officer standing in the Officer's Gallery was taking notes of the debates and even counting the number of the opposition members."
"It is surveillance. Who is he? Why is he taking notes? He is counting the number of the MPs this side," Kharge said.
However, the Speaker assured the opposition members that she will look into the matter and said she could not see the Officers' Gallery from her seat.
"I will see to it," she said.
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Meanwhile, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said the concerned officer belonged to his Ministry and was doing his duty.
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar in an apparent jibe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi said the proceedings of the House were telecast live and everyone could see what was happening in the House.
"People can even see who is winking in the House," he said, referring to the Gandhi's wink in the House on Friday during the no-confidence motion after his speech and hug to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It may be recalled here that opposition recently lost the no-confidence motion which it moved against the Modi government.
Monsoon session of the Parliament is going on and before the Lok Sabha elections 2019 just one more session-winter session-is left. Opposition parties are trying to make most of it. Their efforts are to corner the government.
(With inputs from IANS)
