Uproar over Uttarakhand disrupts Rajya Sabha (Third Lead)

The Rajya Sabha was disrupted thrice on Monday before being adjourned for the day with the Congress members vociferously raising the issue of imposition of President's Rule in Uttarakhand and shouting slogans against the central government.

The upper house had already witnessed three adjournments before it met at 3 p.m., but the Congress members assembled in front of the chair soon after and started raising the issue once again.

They shouted slogans against the central government saying: 'Modi teri tanashahi nahi chalegi' (Prime Minister Narendra Modi your dictatorship will not be tolerated).

Trying to defuse the situation, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that there are a number of important bills to be passed, hence the house be allowed to work.

On this, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Congress too wants to pass the bills but it could not be done as the house was not in order.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien tried to pacify the agitating members but they ignored his pleas and went on shouting slogans against the Modi government.

Kurien, realizing the angry mood of the opposition, adjourned the house for the day.

The issue of Uttarakhand was first raised by Azad soon after the house met at 11 a.m.

Azad blamed the central government for creating an "atmosphere" just before the parliament session that would lead to disruptions.

"We as the opposition want the house to function and legislation passed. But in the recent past, we have seen how an atmosphere was created to stall the proceedings of the house. For the first time in the history of Indian politics, President's Rule was imposed in Uttarakhand without following any rules and regulation. We demand a discussion on this," said Azad.

"We are witnessing attempts from the ruling party to hinder the functioning of parliament. The central government provokes the opposition and induces disruptions," he said.

Amid the ruckus, the house was first adjourned till 12 noon and then till 2 p.m.

When the house met post lunch, MPs raised the odd-even scheme and demanded exemption.

Soon after, Congress MPs were on their feet raising slogans against the government.

The house was adjourned again till 3 p.m.

--IANS

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