The opposition NDA’s silent protest against Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee’s recent decision has worked as Chatterjee withdraws the notice referring 32 MPs, mostly from the BJP, to the Privileges Committee for their “unruly behavior”. Please see “Lok Sabha Speaker refers cases of 32 MPs to Privileges Committee!” for more information.

NDA on Monday decided to remain silent in the Lok Sabha for fours days beginning today as they termed this decision unfair. The decision was taken after the Lok Sabha was resumed followed by abrupt adjourn by the speaker till 2 pm today.

The alliance’s leaders had decided to remain silent in the Lok Sabha for fours days beginning today to protest against the decision referring to 32 leaders.

A meeting was held to resolve the issue where Chatterjee reportedly said that he was withdrawing the notice after MPs assured him of smooth conduct of the House.

Opposition leader L K Advani and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee formally urged him to do so and assured the Speaker that the Lower House would function smoothly without any disruptions. Chatterjee, on his part, said that he had taken the decision to refer the MPs to the Privileges Committee to ensure orderly conduct in the House. He also thanked Mukherjee and Advani for the assurance.

The adjournment came as Samajwadi Party leader Ramji Lal Suman sought to raise the issue of controversial anti-North Indian statements made by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.

TDP leader K Yerrannaidu was also raised the issue of recent fire in the Guntur market, which destroyed produce worth crores of rupees.

Besides upsetting the BJP and its allies like the Shiv Sena, the Speaker`s action had also drawn flak from Samajwadi Party which said the chair was “neither a monarch, nor the members his subjects”.

Shiv Sena, a key constituent of NDA, whose two members have also been proceeded against, said that there was no question of being apologetic about raising a “burning” issue affecting the people.

Repeated disruptions in the House were seen and the immediate provocation was the incidents of April 24, which saw opposition members storming the well shouting slogans without paying heed to the chair.