OBC Bill in Rajya Sabha: Red-faced Shah demands reason for BJP MPs' absence

Also accused Congress of 'conspiring' to derail Constitution amendment bill on the backward classes

A red-faced BJP will seek written explanations from its MPs, including union ministers, whose absence from the Rajya Sabha despite a whip resulted in opposition amendments getting passed, after party chief Amit Shah pulled them up today, taking a "serious view" of the matter. 

Shah made his displeasure amply clear at the BJP parliamentary party meeting where he said he does not want to "name and shame" them but warned against a repeat of such an embarrassing lapse. 

A senior BJP leader said nearly 17 party MP, including ministers, were missing from the House when a united opposition determinedly pushed