SP disrupts RS over quota in promotion

Upper House had to be adjourned twice

The post-lunch session of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday was lost following disruptions by the Samajwadi Party (SP) whenever the Quota in Promotions to SC and ST Bill came up for introduction.

The Upper House was adjourned twice for an hour before being adjourned for the day at 4 pm. Minister of State for Personnel V Narayansamy’s repeated attempts to introduce the constitution amendment bill providing quota in promotions failed.

Whenever the minister rose, the SP members stormed into the Well of the House and gathered near the podium shouting that they did not want the bill. Shiv Sena Member Sanjay Raut was also on his feet opposing the Bill. However, there were some heated
arguments between Deputy Chairman P J Kurien and BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu.

Naidu asked what Narayansamy was doing when the House was not in order.
A visibly upset Deputy Chairman retorted: “You can also take the initiative to bring the House into order. It is our collective responsibility and not the exclusive domain of the Chair.”

However, the SP seems almost isolated among political parties on the issue with Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja criticising the disruptions.

“The Bill could be opposed. There is no need of obstructing the House,” said Yechury. He also said that the CPM is in support of the Bill but wants  an arrangement for those who would be superseded by reservation in promotions. Yechury also blamed the Congress for its failure in ensuring a smooth winter session.

Other parties including the BJP are in support of reservation in promotions with some caveats.