Rajya Sabha proceedings washed out for seventh day

Rajya Sabha witnessed washout of proceedings for another day on Wednesday as Congress and AIADMK MPs rushed to the Well of the House pressing their separate demands.

Ruling BJP MPs were also on the aisle sloganeering and demanding Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's apology in Rafale case and Congress lawmakers demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the deal.

First, the AIADMK MPs rushed to the Well demanding government intervention in saving farmers in Cauvery delta. DMK MPs too joined them.

Naidu's appeal to AIADMK and DMK to return to their seats did not succeed and soon Congress MPs were also in the Well with posters in their hands and sloganeering against the government.

Amid the din, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel claimed that the Congress was not willing to discuss the Rafale deal and obstructing the House when the government is ready for a debate.

Even as a short duration discussion on price rise was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, Naidu adjourned the House for the day as din continued.

Earlier, Naidu informed the House that he and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had appealed to MPs to donate from MPLAD funds for relief and rehabilitation work in Kerala which was devastated by floods in August.

Naidu said 97 RajyaSabha MPs allocate Rs 36.65 crore from MPLAD funds for relief and rehabilitation work in Kerala in connection with August floods.

Sixty Rajya Sabha MPs also donated one month salary (Rs 58.69 lakh). Naidu said the money will be handed over to Kerala government.