Repeated adjournments in RS over Lok Pal Bill

The BJP-led Opposition and the BSP today forced two adjournments of the Rajya Sabha, demanding immediate discussion on the issue of corruption and the Lok Pal Bill.

The Upper House was adjourned till noon, minutes after it assembled for the day, with a united Opposition, including AIADMK and the Left, creating uproar and demanding suspension of the Question Hour.

When the House re-assembled at noon, members of the the BJP trooped into the well, creating ruckus even as Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan asked for paper-laying.

JD(U), AIADMK, BSP and BJD members were also on their feet in support of the demand for discussion on the issue. While the Lok Pal Bill is pending before the Standing Committee of Parliament, civil society led by Anna Hazare is up in arms demanding a strong law to curb corruption.

Minster of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said the government was ready for discussion at 2 PM but the Opposition "is running away from it".

However, the agitating Opposition refused to relent and Khan's efforts to take up the Calling Attention Motion in the House did not succeed and he adjourned the House till 2 PM.

In the morning, hardly had Chairman Hamid Ansari taken his seat, S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said his party has given notice for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue of corruption.

As Ahluwalia was joined by his party colleagues and members from other parties including Left, AIADMK, JD-U and BSP, Ansari said the issue can be raised during Zero Hour.

Some BJP members moved to the aisles, prompting ruling Congress members to counter the opposition by shouting "We want Question Hour." As the din continued, Ansari adjourned the House till noon.