RS proceedings stalled by Cong protests

Relentless protests by Congress members over its "vendetta politics" charge against the government in the 'National Herald' case virtually stalled Rajya Sabha proceedings today, taking a toll of both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour.

The Upper House saw repeated adjournments in the pre- lunch session with Congress members trooping into the Well raising slogans against the government and the Prime Minister.

The House was adjourned five times - twice each during Zero Hour and the Question Hour and once after it reassembled at 2 PM, as the government charged the main opposition party with holding the House 'hostage'.

While Congress members continued to raise anti-government slogans from the Well, AIADMK members also moved into the aisles in the morning demanding that the devastation caused by the Chennai floods be declared a national calamity.

The noisy scenes first forced Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the House till 1130 hours and then again till noon. Kurien also got the listed papers of the day laid on the table and then called for Zero Hour mentions, as noisy scenes continued.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised a point of order objecting to the opposition members' behaviour.

"Ministers are sitting in the House to answer questions of members. If some members are not seeking to ask questions, why other members are being prevented from doing so.
Some people cannot hold the House to ransom. Unfortunately, some people are taking this House hostage. The House needs your protection," he told Chairman Hamid Ansari.

As unrelenting Congress members continued their noisy protest, Ansari adjourned the proceedings till 2 PM. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House reassembled, forcing its adjournment till 3 PM.

Earlier in the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari read out a message on the anniversary of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN.

But soon thereafter, Congress members stormed the Well raising slogans like "Modi teri tanashahi nahi chalegi (Prime Minister's authoritarianism will not be tolerated)."

In the din, Health Minister J P Nadda said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue and wanted it to be initiated immediately. Kurien asked members to return to their seats and start discussion but no one heeded to his pleas. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House reassembled.

BJP members were also on their feet, as Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad reiterated that the government was ready for discussion on "all issues".

"We are ready for a debate on all the issues, including the National Herald case and Himachal Pradesh chief minister's issue. We are ready for a debate right away. Why is Parliament not allowed to function...They are running away from debate. Start discussion on...on all issues," he said amid din.

When the House assembled at 2 PM, Naresh Agrawal (SP), who was to speak on the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, cited the absence of a Cabinet Minister in the House but Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot was present.

But by then Congress members trooped into the well raising slogans, with Agrawal requesting the Chair to first bring the House in order for him to speak.

Naqvi said since the discussion has already started so he should start speaking on the bill.
In the meanwhile, Anubhav Mohanty (BJD) raised the issue of Polvaram alleging that the government has become "a party to it instead of playing the role of an arbitrator".

"My state of Odisha is agitated. This is a social issue not a political issue," he said, demanding that there should be "no Polavaram before the Supreme Court decision" and asked the government to "withdraw" its decision on it. He also soought an "immediate assurance" from the Centre that there will no Polavaram till the Supreme Court decided on the issue.

BJD has been resisting the decision to hike the proposed dam's height saying it was done without taking the Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments into confidence.

As Congress members kept shouting slogans from the Well, a visibly exasperated Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he is "helpless". "You help me. I will be very grateful for that. Nobody is helping me," he said.

Citing Parliament rules, Naqvi asked the Chair that those making noise in the House should be "sent outside".

"Rules will help you. Please send them outside and give them leave, those who are making noise here, so that they can introspect on how they are harming national interest.  Let them shout at Jantar Mantar or sit at dharna at Gandhi Samadhi. Some good sense could prevail on them after that.

"No charcha (debate), only kharcha (expenditure). Common man is being burdened. Development and reforms have been stalled for their own political interest. The House needs the Chair's protection. The Chairman should use his authority to protect the interests of the House," Naqvi said.

However, Congress members kept on shouting saying "No" loudly. Kurien said that such "howling" is not good. As the din continued, he adjourned the House till 3 PM.