New Delhi:
It was a disgrace the House witnessed after two decades. Question Hour adjourned because 34 MPs slated to ask questions decided to bunk Parliament. The absentees cut across party lines from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Shiv Sena, most parties had offenders.
The nine Congress MPs, at least, aren't getting off easy. A furious Sonia Gandhi asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal to send them a formal warning in writing.
"We have a way of dealing with this so let me assure you that they will all be dealt with. It won't happen again," says spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Party sources say the MPs have individually conveyed their excuses. Some blamed late trains, others like Madhu Goud said, "I went to a reception, that is why I was not present. I will take responsibility for not being present."
But the missing Congress MPs say they've received the message loud and clear - follow the party whip, come what may.
Easier said than done, however low attendance in Parliament has been a recurring problem, be it for the passing of the Right to Education bill or the sanctioning of a 26/11 memorial.