Parl again fails to transact biz, Oppn demands PM’s apology

However, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha saw Trinamool Congress, joined by Congress, BSP and some other Opposition parties, targeting the government over deployment of army at toll plazas in West Bengal.

They cried foul but the government, which termed it as a “routine exercise”, slammed the Opposition parties for trying to politicise army and its activities, saying it reflected “political frustration”.

In the Rajya Sabha, as soon as the topic got over and Chairman Hamid Ansari called for the first question, members of Congress, Trinamool, SP and BSP created ruckus, shouting slogans demanding Modi’s presence and an apology from him. 

Ansari told the protesting members to maintain order in the House and urged them not to “trample upon the rights of members asking starred questions.”

But unrelenting members intensified shouting slogans -- “Pradhan Mantri Maafi Maango (PM should apologise), Rona Dhona Bandh Karo, Pradhan Mantri House mein aao (Stop crying, Prime Minister come to House).

The BJP members were on their feet to counter the Opposition and shouted “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” slogans.

Observing that “this is unfair”, Ansari said “Why aren’t you doing slogan shouting in the streets. This is not the place to shout.” The Chair’s pleas to maintain order went unheeded and the House was adjourned till 1430 hours.

As soon as the House reconvened, the Opposition members again trooped into Well of the House and created ruckus by shouting slogans such as “Modi teri taanasahi nahin chalegi” (Modi, your dictatorship will not be allowed)”.

BJP members were also shouting slogans countering the Opposition parties but nothing could be heard in the din. The AIADMK members were also in the Well of the House, raising some demand but it was not clear what those were.

With Oppostion members unreleneting, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day.

However, before adjouring the House, Kurien took up private members’ legislative business amid din. 

In the Lok Sabha too, a combative Opposition continued vociferous protests over the demonetisation issue, forcing adjournment of the House for the day without transacting much business.

Marking another week of virtual washout of proceedings barring the passage of the Bill to amend the I-T Act without discussion, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the proceedings for the day little past 1230 hours.

Opposition members, including those from Congress, TMC, AIUDF and the Left parties, trooped into the Well, resorting to high-decibel sloganeering. Some of them were even howling as the proceedings went on. AIADMK, RJD and NCP members were seen standing at their seats.

As the ruckus continued during Question Hour, a visibily peeved Mahajan said it was not proper to disturb other members and also warned the protesting members not to disrupt Ministers when they were giving replies.

“I am warning you, I will have to name you... I am again requesting you, this is not good, this is not proper, don’t disturb others,” she said.

While mentioning that they have been doing it for several days, Mahajan said, “I have not prevented you but please don’t curb the rights of other members... Don’t come to this side (in front of Treasury benches). Don’t disrupt the Ministers who are replying to questions”. Notices for adjournment motion moved by various members from the Opposition were not allowed by the Speaker.

Amid the din, the House was adjourned for a brief while till noon amid protests during Question Hour, where as many as seven questions and supplementaries were taken up.

Members continued their protests after the House resumed at noon. The Zero Hour went on for little over half-an-hour before Mahajan adjourned the proceedings for the day.