Priyanka Chaturvedi, suspended Rajya Sabha MP from the Shiv Sena, on Sunday quit as anchor of the Sansad TV show Meri Kahani in protest against the disciplinary action.

Her decision now puts pressure on Shashi Tharoor, the only other Opposition politician to have a show on the newly launched Sansad TV, to quit in solidarity with her.

In her resignation letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Sena MP described her suspension as “arbitrary” and said it “totally disregarded established parliamentary norms and rules”.

Priyanka said in the letter: “After my arbitrary suspension, that has totally disregarded established parliamentary norms and rules, to stifle my voice, my party’s voice inside the chamber, I am unwilling to continue taking space on Sansad TV when my primary oath to the Constitution is being denied to me.

“That this suspension also chose to disregard my parliamentary track record and my contribution beyond the call of duty so as to give a platform to women parliamentarians to share their journey, I believe injustice has been done but as it is considered valid in the eyes of the chair, I must respect it.”

As anchor of the show, Priyanka used to profile and interview women parliamentarians. She was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the entire session on Monday along with 11 others from five parties for their behaviour on August 11 during the passage of the insurance bill.

The Opposition says the suspensions are not in order as Rule 256 — the provision invoked to suspend the 12 Opposition MPs — states that such disciplinary action can only be taken for the duration of the ongoing session.

Since the monsoon session was prorogued by the President, the winter session is a new one, the Opposition argues. But Naidu has overruled this on the premise that the Rajya Sabha is a continuing House.

The Sena MP has received supportive tweets from Congress Lok Sabha MP Hibi Eden and Trinamul Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien.

O’Brien tweeted: “Good on you, Priyanka. Now that leaves one MP from the Opposition as a host. I hope he too snubs this Government who are mocking #Parliament every day. And worse still, justifying the mocking.”