Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has resigned as an anchor for a show titled ‘Meri Kahaani’ on Sansad TV following her suspension from the Rajya Sabha.
In a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu, she wrote, “It is with deep anguish that I step down as an anchor of Sansad TV’s show Meri Kahaani, I am unwilling to occupy space on Sansad TV for a show but being denied space on it for discharging parliamentary duties due to arbitrary suspension of us 12 MPs. Hence, as much as I was committed to the show, I must step away.”
Meri Kahani is a talk show where women parliamentarians showcase their journey as politicians. Sansad TV is the parliamentary channel launched after merging Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV.
“That this suspension also chose to disregard my parliamentary track record and my contribution beyond the call of duty so as to give a platform to women parliamentarians to share their journey, I believe injustice has been done but as it is considered valid in the eyes of the chair, I must respect it,” she wrote in the letter addressed to Naidu.
Chaturvedi’s letter also said that at a time when the highest number of women MPs have been suspended in the recorded history of Rajya Sabha for an entire session “for speaking up for the people of this country”, she needs to “speak up for them” and “stand in solidarity”.
“Also, not to forget 12 MPs being suspended for an entire session for their conduct in the previous session has never happened in Parliament’s history,” she added.
The suspended MPs include six from Congress, two each from TMC and Shiv Sena and one each from CPM and CPI.
The action has been taken against them for the ‘indiscipline’ in the monsoon session of the House.
The suspended MPs are Elamaram Kareem (CPM), Phulo Devi Netam, Chhaya Verma, R Bora, Rajamani Patel, Syed Nasir Hussain and Akhilesh Prasad Singh of the Congress, Binoy Viswam of CPI, Dola Sen and Shanta Chhetri of Trinamool Congress, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Anil Desai of Shiv Sena.