'Where Is The Proof?': TMC Reacts To 'E-Cigarette' Row In Sansad, BJP Lodges Complaint—Who Was The MP?

After BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday accused a Trinamool Congress MP of smoking an e-cigarette inside the Lok Sabha, the Mamata Banerjee-led party has asked for proof. Speaking to Times Now, TMC MP Kirti

Azad has asked the ruling party to submit proof with the name of the MP."My answer is simple. There are rules laid down in the Lok Sabha. If you are levelling any allegations on any member or party, you have to submit them to the speaker with proof. It is useless. They are using these forums for unnecessary allegations," said TMC's Kirti Azad. "If you have submitted the complaint, then who is it? The name should come out. If I raise it in parliament, then I have to raise it with proof," he added. Notably, an undated video from the Parliament shows TMC MP Sougato Roy smoking at the Parliament complex Makar Dwar. The BJP, however, has not named Roy in the complaint.

Also Read: 'Lagataar Baith Ke Pee Rahe Hain': BJP's Anurag Thakur Accuses TMC MP Of Smoking E-Cigarette In Parliament

BJP submits formal complaint

BJP MP Anurag Thakur lodged a complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday regarding the violation of Parliamentary rules and statutory laws after the alleged use of an e-cigarette inside the Chamber of Lok Sabha."A Member of Parliament belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress was seen openly using an electronic cigarette while seated in the House during the sittings. The open use of a banned substance and a prohibited device inside the sanctum sanctorum of Indian democracy, the Lok Sabha chamber, constitutes not only a blatant violation of parliamentary decorum and discipline but also a cognizable offence under the laws enacted by this very House," the complaint stated.

On Thursday, Thakur accused an unnamed Trinamool Congress MP of smoking an e-cigarette inside Sansad. "Desh bhar mein e-cigarette ban ho chuki hai, kya aapne allow kar di hai (E-cigarettes have been banned in the country, have you allowed this?" Thakur asked Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla during Question Hour in Lok Sabha."Sir TMC ke sandad kayeen dino se lagataar baith ke pee rahe hain sir (Sir, TMC MP is smoking continuously for days)," Thakur further alleged.Birla replied that no such directives were issued by him and added that if a written complaint is lodged, he will take action.