Parliament proceedings mired by deepening Arunachal crisis (Update)

The deepening political crisis in Arunchal Pradesh on Friday rocked both houses of Parliament, with Congress members staging a walkout during zero hour on the issue in the Lok Sabha, and forcing repeated adjournments in the Rajya Sabha.

As soon as the Lower House began proceedings, Congress MPs raised the Arunachal issue and trooped into the well and shouted slogans against Governor J.P. Rajkhowa.

Congress members continued their protest and shouted slogans despite Speaker Sumitra Mahajan saying several times that the opposition should follow procedures and give notice as per established norms.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Mallikarjun Kharge also trooped into the well later.

The opposition said the Speaker was showing no "mercy" towards them, and thus, they had decided to stage a walkout from the House in protest.

In the Rajya Sabha, Congress members, amid pandemonium, forced repeated adjournments on the Arunachal issue.

Members belonging to the AIADMK, TMC and the Left parties supported the Congress' demand for the recall of the Governor.

The House witnessed three adjournments during the pre-lunch session.

As soon as the House took up Zero Hour mentions, Congress members trooped into the well in support of their demand; they also raised slogans against the Centre and the Governor. As noisy scenes continued, Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien adjourned the House for 20 minutes till noon. The situation was no different when the House resumed and again it was adjourned till 2.30P.M.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari admitted substantive motions moved by opposition parties to discuss the political developments in Arunachal Pradesh. Announcing this during Zero Hour, the Deputy Chairman said, only the time has to be fixed for a discussion on the motions.

Meanwhile, Chairman Hamid Ansari held an all-party meeting this afternoon in an attempt to break the logjam.

The House is facing disruptions on several issues, which have blocked the passage of key legislations, including the GST Bill. Only three business days are left in the winter session and government is pushing hard to pass some of the Bills.

The Chairman has reportedly asked for similar powers as the Lok Sabha Speaker to take tough action against unruly MPs. It is understood that he may also call for changes in rules in this regard.

Ansari's decision came after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.