BJP against suspension of SP MPs over SC/ST promotion Bill

The BJP on Tuesday indicated that it was opposed to naming or suspension of SP members from the Upper House under pressure from BSP chief Mayawati, who has given an ultimatum to the government to get the SC/ST quota in promotion Bill passed within the next couple of days.

"We are opposed to naming of the members by the Chair or the suspension of members to appease one party. Our party never resorted to this during the NDA regime," a senior BJP leader said referring to the pressure from the BSP to get the SP members out of the House to get the Bill passed.

The BJP leaders highlighted that the party did not appreciate the suspension of protesting members during the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in March 2010. The NDA leaders highlighted that its constituent Shiv Sena was also against the Bill and consequently, the BJP will not support any such move.

The BJP's reluctance to get the agitating members suspended is likely to compound the government's worries to get the Bill passed as demanded by Mayawati. The Rajya Sabha chairman, senior leaders say, was unlikely to bite the bullet without the Opposition's consent given the criticism he faced at the time of the Women's Reservation Bill.

Leaders from opposition parties said the Chair cannot take the decision to suspend SP members because it was the BSP which disrupted the proceedings earlier in the session while pressing for the Bill.

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