Modi-Shah 'mocking' Parliament since 2014: Congress cites 2023 EC law passed amid 145 MP suspensions

Jairam Ramesh hit out at the 'BJP ecosystem' after the 'Citizens for Democracy' group held a mock Parliament, with participants debating contemporary political and constitutional issues

Congress on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been "mocking" Parliament since 2014, pointing to a 2023 law granting "unprecedented life-long immunity" to the chief election commissioner that was "pushed through both Houses while 145 Opposition MPs had been suspended."

The party was reacting to a mock parliament held by the "BJP ecosystem".

Organised by 'Citizens for Democracy', the session sought to recreate parliamentary proceedings, with participants engaging in debates, raising questions, and presenting arguments on contemporary political and constitutional issues.

Participants took on the roles of senior political leaders as the mock parliament on the theme 'Democracy vs Anarchy' began at the NDMC Convention Centre in Delhi on Friday, with discussions centred on electoral integrity, democratic institutions, and political accountability.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said, "It is not at all surprising that the BJP ecosystem organised a mock Parliament today. After all, the PM-HM have consistently mocked Parliament since 2014, bulldozing Bills through, denying debates on urgent issues of public importance, denigrating Parliamentary institutions and converting both chambers into arenas for self-glorification."

Recalling the manner in which the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, was passed while Opposition MPs remained suspended, Ramesh said, "Soon thereafter, Gyanesh Kumar was positioned as CEC to implement the nefarious Modi-Shah designs to strip crores of Indians of their Constitutional right to vote".

Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said, "BJP-sponsored outfits holding a 'mock Parliament' after 12 years of BJP making a mockery of Parliament itself."

"First treat Parliament as a rubber-stamp to steamroll Bills and silence the Opposition, and now run a 'mock Parliament' to make a cruel joke of democracy itself. Waah Modi ji, Waah!" he said on X.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the role of the Election Commission and allegations of 'vote theft' also featured among the issues taken up during the simulated parliamentary proceedings.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc's "public impeachment" of CEC Gyanesh Kumar has been postponed to October 31 due to the rains here.