Derek O'Brien

The West Bengal BJP unit, however, dubbed the remarks by the TMC against Shah as a reflection of frustration over the truth being out.

During his Motion of Thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind’s address in the Rajya Sabha on February 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Derek O'Brien had chosen good words — freedom of speech and intimidation.

"Railways: sold, Airports: sold, Ports: sold, Insurance: sold, PSUs: 23 sold!” O’Brien claimed common people and farmers were ignored, adding that the Budget would make the rich richer and the poor poorer, while the middle class got "nothing".

Before beginning his speech, O'Brien, who is leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, said that opposition parties have given notices five days in a row to discuss the issue, but these have not been accepted.

O'Brien, while participating in a discussion on the CAA at a premier law school in the city, said the country was facing a "serious crisis" due to the Centre's decision to implement the new citizenship law.

Derek O'Brien alleged that the CBI notice was sent as the TMC was opposing amendments to the Right to Information Act.

O' Brien said children should be encouraged to speak up and not hide incidents wherein they have been traumatised in this manner.

His comments came a day after reports about the Congress being ready to accept any non-RSS candidate from among the Opposition as the next prime minister.

Brien, who is also the leader of TMC parliamentary party in Rajya Sabha, claimed that the present regime at the Centre will be voted out of power and TMC will play a role in defeating the BJP government.

"Parliament dates announced. Under NDA government a drastic reduction in the number of working days. Monsoon Session ran for 26 days in 2010 & 2011, now reduced to a mere 18 days. Number of days for government business reduced by a week. This Govt never serious about Parliament (sic)," O'Brien tweeted.

Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were washed out for the third straight day today as opposition parties as well as NDA allies Shiv Sena, TDP and AIADMK stalled business.

In a statement, TMC MP Derek O'Brien said that his party would be "persistent" in its protest against Aadhaar card.

To stop Modi, the Opposition needs to make a realistic assessment of national alternatives to the BJP, as well as regional opportunities and challenges for that party, and then strategise.

The opposition should fight the BJP from 29 different regional platforms over diverse issues, O'Brien writes in his new book 'Inside Parliament: Views From The Front Row'.

Trinamool will also not attend the all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan this evening ahead of the Budget session of Parliament beginning tomorrow.

During the Question Hour, TMC member Derek O'Brien said several states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, have huge debts.

The discussion on atrocities against Dalits is scheduled at 2 PM in the Upper House. The notice for the debate was given by BSP chief Mayawati and TMC's Derek O'Brien.

Government said the amendments to Juvenile Justice Act that will allow children between 16-18 years to be tried as adults in heinous crime cases will come up before Rajya Sabha tomorrow, as protests against release of the juvenile convict continued at Jantar Mantar.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi assurance that issues raised by opposition parties will be discussed in Parliament, it does not seem sailing for the government in Parliament.

With different political parties trying to reach out to netizens, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has outstripped all as her official Facebook page on Wedneswday crossed one lakh followers.