Rajya Sabha adjourned amid opposition sloganeering

The Rajya Sabha on Monday saw repeated disruptions and was adjourned for the day as Congress members denounced the allegations levelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

As the House met for the day, agitated Congress members trooped to the Chairman's podium shouting slogans against Modi and the BJP after their notice to discuss the matter under Rule 267 was rejected.

Under the Rule 267, the House's listed business is suspended to discuss full time the matter for which the notice is given.

"You cannot reject everything every day. What are we doing here then? The charges levelled against a former Prime Minister who held office for 10 years will have to be proved. They (BJP) are answerable to the people," a miffed Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

The Congress had also pressed the matter on Friday but their notices were rejected by Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien adjourned the House till 12 noon amid pandemonium.

But as soon as the House met again for Question Hour, the Congress MPs again raised the issue and asked Naidu to allow a discussion on the matter.

"Sir, you have to protect the members' honour," Congress leader Anand Sharma told the Chair.

As Naidu insisted on continuing with the Question Hour, the Congress MPs again came near the podium shouting slogans like "Pradhan Mantri maafi mango" (Prime Minister, apologise).

Naidu then adjourned the House for the day.

--IANS

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