Leaders of as many as 16 opposition parties led by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today strongly objected the manner in which the Income Tax Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. Submitting a memorandum this evening to President Pranab Mukherjee they urged his intervention in this regard.

They alleged that rules and procedures were not followed and it was passed in a hurry. . They alleged that the mandatory provision of the constitution and Rules of Procedures were totally violated in passing this bill. Sixteen party delegation included the leaders of Congress, Left, TMC, SP and RJD. They said that bill was passed amidst din without any discussion.

Speaking on this occasion, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government passed the bill in an arbitrary manner and the voice of the opposition is being stifled. . “We (opposition delegation) gave the President a memorandum. The Bill was passed without any discussion, this is not the way to run the Parliamentary business. Voice of the opposition was stifled in Parliament,” he added.

They said that on Nov 28 in the midst of turmoil the finance minister introduced the bill in Lok Sabha as supplementary agenda, without discussing in the BAC or giving prior notice to MPs. They recalled that MPs have given notices for 11 amendments, of which 7 needed Presidential assent.

They deplored that they were not allowed to move these amendments as president’s recommendation were allegedly not received. Though MPs raised objection, their legitimate democratic was denied on the plea those were ignored on the plea the bill was so urgent and there was no time to wait for President’s assent.

Earlier in the day, the issue of Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2016 being treated as Money Bill was raised by Naresh Agrawal of Samajwadi Party in the Rajya Sabha. He said the government was “undermining” the Rajya Sabha as it does not have majority in this House.