Oppn corners NDA over black money

A united Opposition cornered the BJP-led NDA government on the second day of Parliament’s Winter Session on key issues including the repatriation of black money.

Trinamool Congress MPs rushed to the Well of the Lok Sabha holding black umbrellas with slogans like “bring back black money” painted on them. They were joined by members from Congress, RJD, AAP and Samajwadi Party who also raised slogans demanding a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to when the black money will be brought back to the country.

The combined opposition continued to shout slogans, ignoring Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s request that members should resume their seats as the government had agreed to discuss the black money issue. The Speaker had to adjourn proceedings twice till lunch break.  The discussion on black money is expected to take place on Wednesday.

When the Lower House was convened in the morning, the Congress and TMC wanted suspension of the Question Hour to take up the black money debate. Interestingly, the third listed question was on Burdwan blasts where suspected TMC involvement is being reported.

Suddenly, three TMC leaders opened their umbrellas to walk into the well despite the Speaker cautioning that it was not allowed inside the House. But, the disruptions went on, forcing Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House at 11:22 am for 37 minutes. Mahajan summoned TMC leaders Sudip Bandhopadhyay and Kalyan Banerjee to her chamber and cautioned them to resist such way of protest.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the House that he had received notices seeking a discussion and the government was open to it. The government has taken important steps which it would like to spell, contrary to UPA’s decade in power where they did nothing, he said.

A frustrated Speaker later said the protesting MPs do not want a debate since despite assurance they were not returning to their seats. Outside the House, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been allotted seat next to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, said, “ What have these people (Govt) done? It’s been almost 6 months”.