CPI(M) MP objects to Rijiju’s ‘NDA family’ post featuring nominated Rajya Sabha members

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member V. Sivadasan has written to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressing “serious concern” over a recent social media post in which the Minister shared a photograph and video of Rajya Sabha MPs heading to the Prime Minister’s residence, captioned “NDA family”.

In his letter, Mr. Sivadasan pointed out that the post included nominated members Sudha Murty and P.T. Usha, who were appointed under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution. “They do not belong to the National Democratic Alliance or to any political party. Describing them as part of the ‘NDA family’ is factually incorrect and politically misleading,” he wrote.

The CPI(M) leader said such representation was not a “minor semantic issue” but amounted to “political appropriation” of constitutionally nominated, non-party MPs, undermining the non-partisan character of their nomination. “When this mischaracterisation is made by the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, it assumes greater seriousness and carries institutional implications,” he added, terming it an “insult” to the President who nominated the members.

Mr. Sivadasan urged that public communication by senior constitutional functionaries must respect parliamentary conventions and factual accuracy. “Blurring the line between nominated Members and party-affiliated MPs sets an unhealthy precedent and erodes parliamentary propriety,” he said, calling for withdrawal of the post and a public apology.