BJP not allowing Parliament to function as revelations would expose PM Modi: Congress

Firing a fresh salvo at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress on Thursday said the saffron party is not allowing Parliament to function as revelations would expose Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The BJP should not stop the proceedings of the House. It is strange that the ruling party is not allowing Parliament to function because they know the revelations would directly target Modi ji," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal told ANI.

Escalating his attack on the government, Sibal said, "We don't take Shivraj Singh Chouhan's comments seriously. The way Vyapam scam has taken place and the way they are safeguarding themselves.... we don't take their comments seriously. The BJP must say that if there is any proof against Modi ji then that should be revealed as soon as possible."

Sibal's comments came in the wake of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying that nobody in this country takes Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seriously nor does anyone trust him.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day following uproar by the opposition.

As the Lok Sabha met after the first adjournment at noon, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said his party is ready for discussion on demonetization immediately.

TMC leader Sudip Bandopadhya also urged the chair to start the discussion on demonetisation without delay.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the opposition is not interested in discussion.

He said the opposition has been stalling the functioning of the House.

He alleged that some Congress leaders are involved in converting black money to white.

Kumar also said the House should also discuss about the alleged Agusta Westland kickbacks.

After Kumar spoke, opposition members trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans.

In the din, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for the day.

Rajya Sabha witnessed repeated adjournments before 2 p.m.

When the House met this morning, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the issue of the plight of farmers due to drought and demonetisation.

However, some of the ruling party and TMC members displayed placards which the Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien disapproved.

The Congress charged the ruling party with disrupting the proceedings claiming it unprecedented.

Union Minister Muqtar Abbas Naqvi countered the Congress allegation that it was the opposition that was holding the House to ransom.