New Delhi:Â For the second day in a row, the Monsoon Session of Parliament saw opposition mounting attack on the government. Both the houses of Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – on Wednesday were adjourned due to the ruckus and chaos.
In Rajya Sabha, the day was full of political drama with the government and the Congress-led opposition at loggerheads over Lalit Modi row and Vyapam scam.
While External Affairs Minister on Wednesday morning hit back at the Congress party, alleging that its senior leader tried to influence her for the diplomatic passport of a coal scam accused, the opposition party appeared to be on backfoot, as it called off a silent protest by party President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi failing to reach a consensus.
Even before Rajya Sabha reconvened after three adjournments, PJ Kurien adjourned the Upper House of the day. Tired of protesting MPs, Kurien said that the House does not function in this way. “The Chair is helpless.”
Meanwhile in Lok Sabha, no business could be conducted on Wednesday as a combative Opposition sought to force a discussion on corruption in the wake of the Lalit Modi case and the Vyapam scam.
Several Opposition MPs sported black bands in protest and also held up placards. When they continued to hold them up despite directions from the Chair not to do so, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan warned the Congress and TRS MPs of disciplinary action.
Earlier, second day of Monsoon Session of the Parliament began with fireworks as the government and the Congress-led opposition were at loggerheads over Lalit Modi row and Vyapam scam. Both the houses have been adjourned till 2 pm due to the ruckus.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha saw slogan shouting by Congress members and their angry exchanges with the government benches. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the Lok Sabha when it was adjourned.
Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice in the pre-noon session after uproar over the Lalit Modi and Vyapam admission and recruitment scam in Madhya Pradesh.
As soon as obituary references were made, several opposition parties, including the Congress, BSP and the Left, insisted that no debate was possible without the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje following their alleged involvement in the controversy over former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi. They also raised the issue of Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh.
The ruling BJP members wanted a discussion on the Lalit Modi issue to be initiated immediately saying they did not want the opposition members to speak on the adjournment motion they had moved on these issues.
Amidst slogan shouting by the opposition members and heated exchanges between them and those from treasury benches including by ministers, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien first adjourned the House for 15 minutes and then again till noon.
At noon when the Question Hour was taken up by Chairman Hamid Ansari, the opposition members continued the uproar forcing the third adjournment of the House.
Earlier, Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley defended Swaraj asking opposition to point out one provision of the law which she has violated in allegedly trying to help former IPL commissioner.
BSP chief Mayawati targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over Lalit Modi controversy, says it is a national issue and not a state issue as being claimed by the government.
In the Lok Sabha, opposition Congress members displayed placards to protest over theLalit Modi controversy and other issues, forced adjournment of proceedings for nearly an hour.
Soon after the House met for the day, Congress members took out placards and displayed black badges with SpeakerSumitra Mahajan objecting to it as “inappropriate”.
Some TRS members were also seen holding placards demanding a separate High Court in Telangana.
As soon as Mahajan called for the Question Hour, BJP and Congress members got into heated exchanged, as the opposition party members trooped into the Well holding placards, reading ‘Bade Modi meherban, to chhote Modi pehelwan’ (a Hindi idiom meaning that a small person is strong if supported by a powerful person) and ‘PM chuppi todo’ (PM, break your silence).
The Congress has made it clear that it will not allow the houses to function unless the government takes action against Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for helping disgraced cricket boss Lalit Modi. It also wants the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam recruitment scam.
While External Affairs Minister on Wednesday morning hit back at the Congress party, alleging that its senior leader tried to influence her for the diplomatic passport of a coal scam accused, the opposition party appeared to be on backfoot as it called off a silent protest by party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi failing to reach a consensus.
Meanwhile, NSUI activists protested against BJP govt in national capital over Lalitgate and Vyapam recruitment scam. Several NSUI workers have been detained by the security forces.
The BJP-led government has said there will be no resignations, but has offered to discuss “all issues” in Parliament. It has also accused the Congress of “running away” from debate.
In the 21-day Monsoon Session that began on Tuesday, the government needs to push urgent reforms like the Goods and Sales Tax or GST. The Congress has allowed no work so far.