Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya on Wednesday shared a 35-second video that he said showed Trinamool MP Kirti Azad vaping in the House. This comes days after BJP MP Anurag Thakur filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the violation of parliamentary rules and statutory laws by using an e-cigarette inside the Lok Sabha.
A video shared by other BJP spokespersons on X on Wednesday showed Azad sitting inside the Lok Sabha and allegedly making a smoking gesture. Azad is seen bringing his right hand palmed to his mouth and holding it for five seconds.
However, neither a cigarette, nor an e-cigarette, nor any smoke could be seen in the video. LiveMint could not verify the authenticity of the video.
However, Malviya accused the former Indian cricketer of vaping inside the House, referring to party colleague Anurag Thakur’s comment last week about an unidentified lawmaker.
“The Trinamool MP accused of vaping inside Parliament by BJP MP Anurag Thakur is none other than Kirti Azad. Rules and laws clearly have no meaning for people like him. Just imagine the audacity to hide an e-cigarette in his palm while in the House,” Malviya said in the post.
“Smoking may not be illegal, but its use in Parliament is completely unacceptable. (Trinamool Congress chief) Mamata Banerjee must clarify the misconduct of her MP,” the BJP leader said.
Lok Sabha proceedings were briefly interrupted during question hour last week after Thakur accused a TMC MP smoking e-cigarettes in the House of Commons for several days. However, Thakur did not name anyone.
Smoking may not be illegal, but its use in Parliament is completely unacceptable.
Thakur sought an inquiry into the matter saying it was a serious issue. Birla asked all MPs to maintain the decorum of the House. “If I get any such information, I will definitely take action,” he said, urging the MP to file a complaint in writing.
An e-cigarette (electronic cigarette) is a battery-powered device that heats a liquid – usually called e-liquid or vape juice – to create an aerosol that the user inhales.
