"Did nothing wrong": TMC MP Dola Sen comes out in support of suspended RS member Derek O'Brien

New Delhi [India], December 14 : Coming out in support of TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien after he was suspended from the Upper House for the remainder of the ongoing Winter Session for 'unruly behaviour', fellow party MP Dola Sen said he did nothing wrong.
Speaking to ANI on Thursday, the TMC Lok Sabha MP said, "Derek O'Brien was suspended today. As Opposition members, we hold the right to raise people's issues in the Well of the House. Derek did nothing wrong. The PM, Home Minister, and members of the Treasury are silent on the security breach, which prompted us to raise the issue in a big way and chant slogans."
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also urged Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to review his decision and revoke O'Brien's suspension.
"The blame lies entirely with the government. The last time (2001) when our Parliament came under attack, they (terrorists) were not able to go inside. However, this time they reached the Lok Sabha. If we remain silent spectators then we wouldn't be doing justice to our duties and responsibilities. We request the chairman to review his decision and revoke the suspension (of Derek O'Brien)," the Congress MP said.
O'Brien was suspended for the rest of the Winter Session for 'gross misconduct' and 'defying the Chair' during the proceedings on Thursday morning.
The Winter Session is scheduled to run till December 22.
The Upper House adopted a motion for the suspension of the Trinamool member.
O'Brien demanded a discussion on the security breach incident, in which two men jumped from the visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha and set off yellow smoke canisters.
Soon after, the Trinamool MP was asked to leave the House by Chairman Dhankhar.
Despite the warning from the Chair, O'Brien and some other opposition members continued to protest, demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah be present in the House to make a statement on Wednesday's security breach.
Speaking outside the Parliament, Dola Sen also demanded action against BJP MP Pratap Simha, who allegedly helped the accused, Manoranjan, avail a visitor pass for Parliament.
"Why is the Ethics Committee quiet on this? Pratap Simha, who arranged a pass to one of the intruders, is a BJP MP. Why is he not being expelled? If the security of parliamentarians is compromised, we don't know what will happen to common citizens under this government. The Home minister did not even give a statement on this. The TMC demands a proper investigation into the breach," Sen said.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha secretariat suspended eight security personnel on Thursday over security lapses that led to a major security breach in Parliament on Wednesday.