BJP president Amit Shah has taken a serious view of the absence of party members from the Rajya Sabha despite a whip, and the absentee MPs are likely to be asked for an explanation.
Shah made his displeasure clear at the BJP parliamentary party meeting on 1 July, some MPs present there said, a day after the government suffered an embarrassment in the House when a united opposition ensured the passage of amendments to a Constitution amendment bill on backward classes.
The opposition-sponsored amendments were passed by 74 to 52 votes. The BJP's strength alone is 56 while the ruling block enjoys the support of 88 members, counting 10 JD(U) MPs.
"When the party issues a whip, members must be present in the House. The party president has taken a serious view of the absence of members. He said it should not have happened and must not be repeated," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said.
A BJP MP present in the meeting said Shah wondered if the absentee MPs should be named as the party, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has repeatedly stressed on the need for their presence in Parliament.
He also referred to the votes during the presidential poll, which turned out to be invalid, and asked them to ensure that they cast votes properly during the vice presidential election.
(With inputs from PTI.)
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)