Mayawati threatens to resign from Rajya Sabha

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jul 18 2017 DH News: In a dramatic move, BSP chief Mayawati on Tuesday announced that she will resign from Rajya Sabha after she was "not allowed" to speak in the Upper House on Dalit attrocities.

Emotionally charged Mayawati’s announcement stunned the Opposition as well her party MPs, who tried to convince her not to take he step.

Invoking B R Ambedkar who stepped down as Law Minister after he could not push a law, Mayawati told reporters outside Parliament, "I am putting in papers Tuesday itself."

Accusing the BJP-led government of misleading Dalits in the name of Ambedkar, she said the BJP MPs and even Ministers interrupted and did not allow her to finish her speech on a notice of Suspension off Business to discuss Dalit attrocities.

"I have decided if I cannot put my views in Parliament about a section of people with whom I am working, I should resign," she told reporters after walking out of Rajya Sabha in protest.

BSP MPs, including Satish Chandra Mishra, rushed to her house. BSP sources said Opposition leaders requested Mayawati not to take such a step but she was adamant.

All started in Rajya Sabha’s Zero Hour when Mayawati wanted her noticr to be discussed. She was allowed by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to speak but after a few minutes, he asked her to wind up.

BJP MPs tried to shout her down and this led to a confrontation between Opposition and ruling side.

Mayawati then said she is resigning as she is not allowed to speak and walked out stunning her MPs as well as others.