Parliament adjourns sine die

Speaker Kumar, Chairman Ansari exhort MPs to abide by rules

As the day began, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) led to frequent adjournments of the both Houses, raising objections to the arrest of two of its “whistleblower” former MPs—Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora—in cash for vote scam and demanding discussion on the issue.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders including senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, held a protest demonstration in Parliament House complex later over the issue shouting slogans like, “Prime Minister should resign”.

In her valedictory reference in the Lok Sabha, Kumar said, “In this session, the house sat late for 18 hours and 25 minutes. But, regrettably, we lost over 51 hours and six minutes of time due to interruptions followed by forced adjournments.”

She expressed hope that members remained committed to check the tendency of frequent interruptions to strengthen country’s parliamentary form of democracy.

Kumar also frowned upon the repeated demands for suspension of Question Hour leading to its disruption. “I hope in future the House will not allow suspension or disruption of the Question Hour since it is irretrievable,” she said.

UPA chairperson Sonia Ga­ndhi was “missed” during Parliament’s monsoon session that ended Thursday. “I am sure, during this session, all of you, along with me, missed the presence of Sonia Gandhi, UPA chairperson, who is recuperating after treatment in the US. We convey our very best wishes for her speedy recovery,” she said.

Expressing concern and calling for introspection, Ansari said the members should find ways to express their concern on various issues without “infringing the rules”.

“Many matters of public importance remain unattended. This is a sad commentary on the rights and duties of members to participate meaningfully in the proceedings of the house,” he said.