The Hindu : New Delhi News : Dasgupta regrets absence of CPI members

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Dasgupta regrets absence of CPI members

Vinay Kumar

When a marathon discussion on rising prices was on in the Lok Sabha

“This is a casual approach and should not be condoned”
Terms the absence of the BJP as “most regrettable”

NEW DELHI: Senior parliamentarian Gurudas Dasgupta has offered his apologies for the absence of members of the Communist Party of India (CPI) from the Lok Sabha during a marathon discussion on the rising prices of food grains and essential commodities.

At a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Dasgupta who had initiated the discussion in the Lok Sabha referred to criticism in a section of the media on the thin attendance in the House during the discussion.

“This [absence of MPs in the Lok Sabha] is incompatible with the responsibility that goes with their job.

This is a casual approach and should not be condoned. This is right criticism by the media. Government party leaders were also absent even when Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram intervened in the discussion,” he said.

He said the absence of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was “most regrettable.” “The CPI deeply regrets the absence of its members. The press has only reminded the MPs of their responsibility,” Mr. Dasgupta said.

He was flanked by his party leaders, C. K. Chandrappan from the Lok Sabha and D. Raja from the Rajya Sabha.

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