PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the repeated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, stating that due to the turmoil in the House, the country has been unable to listen to the talented MPs elected in recent times. Modi said this during a breakfast meeting with over 40 MPs from NDA constituents Nationalist Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), Shiv Sena, Republican Party of India (Athawale), Rashtriya Lok Morcha, AIADMK and UPPL. While 20 Lok Sabha members had left the TMC and joined the little-known NCPI in June, as many as six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs deserted that party and joined the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, taking Shiv Sena’s numbers to 13 in the Lower House. The NCPI has joined the NDA and the Shiv Sena continues to be a constituent of the ruling alliance.

 

The Muslim MPs of the NCPI - Khalilur Rahaman, Yusuf Pathan and Abu Taher Khan - who skipped the NDA parliamentary party meeting ‘Mangal Milan’ twice also attended the breakfast meeting. They had separately met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. Those who attended the breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister included RPI (Athawale) chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Rashtriya Lok Morcha president and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha, AIADMK leader M Thambi Durai, who is a Rajya Sabha member, and UPPL chief and Rajya Sabha member Pramod Boro. Union Health Minister JP Nadda and BJP president Nitin Nabin were also present at the breakfast, which was a vegetarian affair along with desserts like payosh (kheer). NCPI MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said they were “overwhelmed” seeing the Prime Minister’s knowledge, the way he treated them. NCPI MP Satabdi Royshared details, saying that the Prime Minister interacted warmly with everyone and held detailed discussions on development and parliamentary responsibilities. Roy said, “Our Prime Minister interacted warmly. We sat together over tea, and he told everyone that their contribution was important.”