Strap: Derogatory remarks in LS, National Herald case in RS lead to walkouts, multiple adjournments
The Congress party continued to paralyse the workings of the Rajya Sabha for the third day in the row over the National Herald case. The House was adjourned six times on Thursday, as Congress members entered the Well of the House, every time the proceedings resumed.
In the Lok Sabha where the BJP enjoys a majority, the debate on drought resumed after one adjournment when the Congress staged a walkout, followed by Trinamool Congress, demanding suspension of the BJP's three-time MP Virendra Singh for "derogatory remarks" against Congress leaders during the drought debate on Wednesday.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that Virendra Singh's personal attack on Rahul Gandhi and others had degraded the dignity of Parliament and exposed the 'vendetta politics' of the ruling dispensation. He took strong objection to the ministers supporting the BJP member. "If the government supports such people, we are not going to tolerate it. Unless you suspend him or there is an unconditional apology, it will affect the dignity of members," Kharge said before leading a walkout against the "intolerant" conduct of the BJP MP.
In the Upper House, despite repeated appeals from the Chair to maintain discipline and with the BJP ready to discuss the National Herald issue, the Congress refused to initiate any discussion and continued to raise slogans against the Prime Minister. "Modi teri tanashahi, nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi (Modi your dictatorship - will not work).
No sooner did Congress members enter the Well of the House, than Union health minister JP Nadda said,"Sir we are ready for a discussion immediately." Supporting Nadda's view, deputy chairman PJ Kurien too appealed to the Congress to participate in the debate.
The Congress members however refused to break the ice, forcing an adjournment of the House. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs made a point of order appealing to chairman Hamid Ansari to take action against members for stalling the proceedings. "If the members don't want to participate, they may be asked to leave. Some people cannot hold the House to ransom for personal gains. I appeal to the chair to take necessary action," he said.
When the Rajya Sabha was resumed for the third time post the lunch break, Congress members again entered the well of the House hooting and howling. Asking the members to maintain decorum in the House, deputy chairman, PJ Kurien said, "You can raise slogans, please at least don't howl."
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