Ruckus continues: LS adjourned as opposition seeks demonetisation debate

The Lok Sabha witnessed ruckus on Thursday as the opposition demanded a debate on demonetisation under a parliamentary provision that was not accepted to the government.

Soon after the house met, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to accept their notice for an adjournment motion.

Under the adjournment motion, all other business is set aside and the debate is followed by voting.

But Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the debate should be a short duration discussion under rule 193.

Mahajan then proceeded with the Question Hour even as opposition members raised slogans and created a ruckus in the house.

The Speaker then said the opposition did not seem to want a debate.

"We want adjournment motion because there will be voting," Kharge said.

The speaker, however, adjourned the house till 12.30 p.m., saying the debate cannot take place amid disturbances.

When the house met again, the scene was no different and a united opposition demanded the discussion.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, however, said a divided message should not go from the house.

"The public is with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision. We want the opposition to discuss the issue. I am sure there is no difference in opinion on curbing black money, corruption and counterfeit currency," the minister said.

Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay said the opposition was united and wanted to "censure" the government by voting.

As no agreement was reached between the government and the opposition, the Speaker adjourned the house for the day.