Parliament Winter Session: Verbal spats about Soros, Adani see Opposition and BJP clash in both Houses

New Delhi: Disruption returned to Parliament on Monday as ruling BJP MPs accused top Congress leaders of colluding with billionaire-investor George Soros to destabilise the country while the Opposition sought to raise Adani and farmers issues among others.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed fiery scenes with both sides entering into verbal duels, demanding discussions on the issues raised by each bloc, and this lead to frequent adjournments.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day at 3:08 PM while Lok Sabha wound up proceedings within a minute of re-convening at 3 PM after witnessing a war of words between the ruling and Opposition leaders.

Since November 25, Rajya Sabha has functioned peacefully on three days while Lok Sabha witnessed normal proceedings on only two days.

The Upper House witnessed two adjournments each in the morning and afternoon sessions as treasury benches demanded an immediate discussion on allegations of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi being linked to an organisation which Soros has made donations to destabilise the country.

In the afternoon, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar held a meeting with Leader of the House J P Nadda and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge along with some floor leaders but no headway was found.

Another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 10:30 am, Dhankhar said in the House before adjourning the House for the day. He also added that one cannot allow anyone within and outside the country to endanger the unity and integrity of India.

Though notices submitted by BJP and allies' floor leaders for a discussion were not declined, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar allowed some of them to speak on the issue amid Opposition's objections. Notices by Opposition MPs seeking a discussion on farmers' issues were also disallowed but they could not raise the issue in the House.

Nadda said BJP members were agitated over an issue that involved Congress leaders and wanted a discussion.

Kharge asked how the chairman was allowing the ruling party members to raise the issue when he had rejected their notices in this regard while Congress Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said it was very clear that the ruling side had come up with a game plan to disrupt the House.

Lok Sabha too witnessed vociferous protests over the alleged George Soros-Congress link and Adani issues. Congress MPs trooped to the Well of Lok Sabha repeatedly and were joined by Samajwadi Party MPs on some occasions raising the Sambhal violence issue.

Congress MPs also tried to raise the issue of privilege notices submitted against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for attempts to link Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Sonia with Soros-backed outfits allegedly involved in anti-India activities.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged all parties to unite against anti-India forces and raise their voice if they find their leaders working against the country's interest.

Senior Congress MP KC Venugopal said the House was adjourned not because of them. "The government didn't want to have a discussion in Parliament. Government didn't want to run the Parliament. The government is disturbing the Parliament. Every morning the Parliamentary Affairs minister is issuing provocative statements," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "the Adani brokers do not want the House to run. Instead of serving the country, they are engaged in serving Adani."