RS adjourned twice as Cong creates uproar

The Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed two adjournments within minutes during the pre-lunch session following the protest by Congress members demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale deal.

Soon after the papers were tabled in the House, Congress members were up on their feet demanding the issue should be allowed to be raised. Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who chaired his first session, kept appealing to agitating members to allow the Zero Hour to function where other members were seeking to raise matters of public importance.

Though the Zero Hour continued amid the din, Congress members raised their pitch and some other opposition members entered the Well to raise their issues.

While refusing to allow to matter for discussion, the deputy chairman adjourned the House a few minutes before the Zero hour was about to end.

When the House met for the Question Hour at noon, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu again adjourned the House till 2.20 pm after Congress members continued their protest.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad alleged that the Rafale deal was a "big scam" and there should be a JPC probe it.

Congress deputy leader Anand Sharma said whenever such issues have been released earlier during the reign of previous Congress governments, a JPC probe was ordered and reiterated his party's demand.

Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel alleged that the Opposition was creating a din in the House by making baseless allegations against the prime minister as they did not want the triple talaq bill to be taken up for passage.