The Opposition NDA and the Third Front on Wednesday stalled proceedings in Parliament, protesting against the formation of a UPA-Left Committee on the Indo-US nuclear deal. This led to repeated adjournments of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The discussion on the Sachar Committee recommendations, which was scheduled in the Lok Sabha, could not be held due to disruptions leading to frequent adjournments.
Slogan-raising Opposition members from the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Third Front called the move an “insult” to Parliament and the nation.
They insisted on their demand for formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to go into the issue.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice, the last for the entire day at 3 pm as the Opposition NDA and the Third Front repeatedly stormed into the well of the House. They raised slogans, demanding the JPC.
Protests by the members began as soon as the House was convened at 11 am. Assurances by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee that he would allow them to raise the issue after the question hour fell on deaf ears.
Even as the members shouted “we want JPC,” Deputy Leader of the Opposition V K Malhotra took exception to formation of the committee. He also objected to the government move in not taking Parliament into confidence. “It is an insult to the house and the nation,” Mr Malhotra said, adding that the action was improper.
With the members unrelenting, he adjourned the house first till 11.30 am and then till 3 pm, before finally adjourning it till Thursday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, House Leader Pranab Mukherjee who is the convenor of the panel and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were present in the house.
Protests in RS
The Rajya Sabha saw similar protests, but Chairman Hamid Ansari refused to entertain agitated members’ pleas. He went ahead with the question hour in the midst of commotion. Nothing was audible.
BJP and Shiv Sena members trooped into the well of the upper house, raising slogans. The din continued for over 30 minutes, stalling the question hour.
As the Opposition shouted “we want JPC,” “JPC banao, desh bachao,” some AIADMK members squatted in the well.
