All through this first part of the Budget Session (February 1 – February 9), Trinamool’s Members of Parliament (MPs) highlighted the ill effects of demonetisation and raised their voices against the political vendetta being carried out by the Centre against the party.
In fact, in protest against demonetisation, the party’s MPs did not attend the first two days of Parliament.
The MPs, through a protest inside the Parliament complex, also showed solidarity with the Indian IT firms creating value globally, in response to the US Government’s order limiting the issuing of H1B visas. They also organised a dharna demanding state funded elections.
February 2
Suspension Notice in the Rajya Sabha
Leader of the Party in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien gave a notice under Rule 267 on political vendetta and stifling of the voice of the Opposition.
Chief Whip of the party in Rajya Sabha, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy slammed the Centre for the “witch hunt” against Trinamool Congress.
Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Md Nadimul Haque asked a question on the empowerment of rural women.
During his speech on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien slammed the Centre on demonetisation, Digital India and political vendetta.
Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha
Vivek Gupta made a Special Mention regarding the inadequate number of toilets for girl students in schools in West Bengal.
February 3
Trinamool MPs protested inside the Parliament complex against the political vendetta by the Centre.
Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Derek O’Brien demanded Parliament observes a minute’s silence for the unfortunate victims of demonetisation.
Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha
Leader of the Party in the Lok Sabha, Saugata Roy in the Lok Sabha intervened to oppose the introduction of Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, 2017.
Saugata Roy also raised the issue of misusing of CBI for political purposes by the Central Government, during which time BJP MPs disrupted the House, leading to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha.
February 6
Trinamool Congress MPs showed solidarity with the Indian IT firms creating value globally. The MPs gathered in front of Gandhi ji’s statue inside Parliament complex.
Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Derek O’Brien spoke on securing the interests of Indian IT firms creating value globally.
Vivek Gupta demanded an investigation into the case of missing JNU student Najeeb.
Md Nadimul Haque’s Zero Hour mention honoured the glory of former sportspersons, which received support across the aisle.
Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha
Vivek Gupta made a Special Mention on the issue of federalism.
Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha
Chief Whip of the party in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee raised the issue of demonetisation and said that the country is facing a financial emergency.
February 7
Trinamool Congress MPs from both the Houses of the Parliament staged a dharna in front of Gandhi ji’s statue in the Parliament complex on the need for electoral reform and State funding of elections.
Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Derek O’Brien informed the House that BJP leaders in Bengal are threatening Trinamool leaders.
Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha
Kalyan Banerjee raised the issue of threats to Trinamool leaders by BJP functionaries in Bengal.
Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy questioned the Government on demonetisation.
Question Hour in the Lok Sabha
Ratna De Nag raised the issue of improvement of cold storages.
Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha: Saugata Roy called the Ordinance (which this Bill will replace) as “unnecessary and uncalled for”.
Legislative Business
Tapas Mandal, in the Lok Sabha, spoke on The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
February 8
Trinamool Congress MPs from both the Houses of the Parliament staged a dharna outside Parliament House, protesting against demonetisation, which completed three months today.
Suspension Notice in the Rajya Sabha
Sukhendu Sekar Roy sought the suspension of the House to discuss the impact of three months of demonetisation.
Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Dola Sen raised the issue of electoral reforms and state funding of elections.
Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha
Derek O’Brien raised the issue of online trolls. He wanted to know if the government is planning to issue an advisory for high Constitutional authorities, including the Prime Minister of India, who are following unknown people on the digital medium.
Ahamed Hassan Imran raised the issue of job losses in the manufacturing sector due to demonetisation.
Question Hour in the Lok Sabha
CM Jatua raised the issue of railway connectivity in the Sundarbans.
Aparupa Poddar asked a question about railway safety mechanisms.
Arpita Ghosh raised the issue of internet penetration in rural areas.
Idris Ali asked a supplementary question regarding Haj subsidy.
Legislative Business in Rajya Sabha
Dola Sen spoke on The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha
Saugata Roy spoke during a discussion on the Union Budget and called it conservative. He said the Government did not make any big announcements because it did not receive any windfall gains from demonetisation.
Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha
Trinamool Congress asked for one minute of silence in respect for the people who have died as result of the measures taken for demonetisation. Some ministers were giggling. Treasury benches showed no grace. Then Trinamool walked out.
February 9
During a discussion on the Union Budget, Kalyan Banerjee (Lok Sabha) and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Rajya Sabha) spoke on behalf of the party. Both of them cornered the government on the declining economy, lack of jobs, black money, demonetisation and failed promises of the government.
Special Mentions in Rajya Sabha
Derek O’Brien made a Special Mention on the lack of security in Aadhaar services. Nadimul Haque made a Special Mention on increasing trolling practices online.
A productive Session
Thus, during this Budget Session, Trinamool Congress raised issues of national importance like demonetisation and its effects as well as those related to political vendetta, be it the arrest of two of its MPs, including the Leader of the Party in the Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay or the threats to party functionaries by members of the BJP in Bengal.