TMC MPs walkout from Rajya Sabha over prioritization issues

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Friday. They protested after the House decided to prioritize discussions on the Home Ministry instead of the Question Hour and Private Members' Bills. The opposition believes this move reduces their chances to question the government and address important issues. TMC MP Sushmita Dev expressed concerns about the agenda, questioning why the Home Ministry discussion was scheduled for a day meant for Private Members' business. TMC leader Derek O'Brien emphasized that the Question Hour is essential for opposition members to ask questions to the government. He noted that Private Members' Bills are important to many MPs who do not usually get to speak. Other opposition members, including those from the BJD and DMK, supported TMC's stance on keeping the Question Hour and Private Members' Bills in the agenda. Despite these objections, the Chairman insisted that the discussion on the Home Ministry needed to continue. Following this decision, TMC MPs protested by raising slogans against what they termed "dictatorship" in the House. They then walked out in protest. Sagarika Ghose, TMC's deputy leader, stated they would not participate for the rest of the day. Dola Sen, another TMC member, also withdrew from making her speech. Ghose criticized the government's actions, claiming they undermine the rights of MPs. The debate on the Home Ministry had started earlier, and Thursday's session was cut short due to a protest from DMK members.