'NCPI sought recognition, why object?' Rijiju on opposition walkout in TMC's support

NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday defended the government's decision to invite the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) to the all-party meeting, questioning the opposition's protest and asking how the party's request for recognition could be ignored.His remarks came after several opposition parties staged a symbolic walkout from the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session, protesting the invitation extended to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs who have formed the NCPI. The opposition leaders later rejoined the meeting, saying the walkout was meant to register their protest.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rijiju said the government had acted according to parliamentary norms."NCPI requested recognition from the Lok Sabha Speaker. How can you ignore it?" he said while responding to questions on the opposition's protest over inviting the rebel TMC MPs.Rijiju also defended the government's decision to invite the NCPI to the meeting.