Sadhvi remarks: Govt appeals to oppn to break logjam in Parliament

With the deadlock in Parliament over the hate speech of Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti persisting, Government tonight appealed to opposition parties to leave the issue behind and enable smooth functioning of the House from tomorrow.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu's appeal came in the wake of wash out of Rajya Sabha proceedings virtually for a week and disruptions in the Lok Sabha over the Union Minister's remarks for which she later expressed regret.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued a fresh appeal to parties on Friday last but it failed to break the deadlock.

In the Rajya Sabha, nine opposition parties had come out with a joint statement seeking joint resolution condemning the remarks of Sadhvi who, they said, deserves outright sacking.

"Parliament belongs to both ruling and opposition parties and it is the collective responsibility of the both to ensure smooth functioning of the House," Naidu said.
He said the Minister has apologised and subsequently the Prime Minister has come out with his response "out of respect for the opposition parties and Parliament."

"Our government has highest consideration and respect for the opposition. We have lost one precious week in the Rajya Sabha. Government has to transact substantial business in both houses of Parliament.

"I sincerely appeal to opposition to leave this issue behind and enable smooth functioning of Parliament from tomorrow," Naidu said in an appeal issued after consultation with his senior colleagues.

Unfazed by the stalemate over the Sadhvi issue, government has lined up a heavy legislative agenda in Parliament this week including a bill seeking to replace coal blocks allocation ordinance.

The ordinance was brought in the wake of the Supreme Court decision canceling 214 coal blocks in September which had unveiled the NDA government's ambitious coal sector reforms.