Lokpal debacle: Errant Congress MPs to be punished

Action will be taken against Congress MPs who were absent in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, which led to the defeat of the bill giving Constitutional status to the Lokpal.

Click HERE to read the FULL TEXT of the debate in Lok Sabha

"The absence of MPs will be taken note of very seriously by the Congress leadership and the parliamentary party leadership. Action will be taken against the MPs who were absent despite phone calls and SMSes issued to them," Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy, who piloted the bills in Lok Sabha, said on Wednesday.

He said the absence of the MPs made him "very sad" as their presence could have ensured the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The absence of MPs despite issue of a three line whip shows that they had not taken the matter seriously and made his feel sad, the minister said.

Asked whether disciplinary action would be taken against the MPs, he said, "Definitely those people will have to face action and the party leadership and government will go into it. They will be issued a show cause notice".

At least 25 MPs of the Congress and its allies were absent during voting on the Constitution Amendment Bill which failed to get through because a statute amendment needs a special majority for passage.

For a Constitution Amendment Bill to be voted, more than 50 per cent of the members should be present of which two thirds should vote for it.