GUWAHATI: Assam MP and Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora was suspended from Rajya Sabha for the remaining part of the monsoon session on Monday for unruly behaviour.

A day after slogans and protests in Rajya Sabha against the two controversial farm bills, Bora was amongst the eight Opposition members who were suspended from the House. Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu has also rejected the no-confidence motion moved by 12 opposition parties against deputy chairman Harivansh.

Bora said, “I along with seven MPs of Rajya Sabha- Dereck O’Brien, Dola sen of TMC, Rajiv Satav, Sayed Nasir from INC, KKRagesh, Elaram Karine of CPI (M) and Sanjay Singh of AAP were suspended from the remaining session of Parliament. We opposed the anti farmers’ bill yesterday.”

On Monday, as Rajya Sabha started its proceedings, protests continued with the opposition parties moving a motion against the deputy chairman.

Naidu said that all of them were suspended for unruly behavior and violating social distancing norms. “What happened yesterday defies logic; it was a really bad day for Rajya Sabha. Some members came to the well of the House, threw paper, reached mic of the deputy chairman, hurled papers at him and abused him. The rule book was thrown at him,” the Upper House chairman said.

Passage of key farm bills triggered the protests by Opposition in the Parliament.

Reacting to the suspension, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Suspension of the eight MPs who fought to protect farmers’ interests is unfortunate and reflective of this autocratic government’s mindset that doesn’t respect democratic norms and principles. We won’t bow down and we’ll fight this fascist Govt in Parliament & on the streets.”