Lok Sabha functions, Speaker suspends Cong member

On Monday, the Lok Sabha’s Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan, delivered on her earlier threat of disciplinary action against opposition members for disorderly conduct. She suspended the Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the duration of the day.

The action, largely symbolic, came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded he be suspended for the rest of the session for planting a placard right in front of the Speaker’s chair. This came as the government succeeded in ensuring the House functioned intermittently to transact some business, for the first time since the ongoing session began on July 21.

The first week was washed out because of protests by the Congress and some other opposition parties. On Monday, the government came across as more determined to have the House take up some business.

The Congress, while making common cause with the government on the issue of national security, in the wake of the terrorist attack at Gurdaspur, was adamant on continuing to protest on the ‘Lalit Gate’ and Vyapam issues. There were chinks in opposition unity, with several other parties taking part in the proceedings at various junctures.

However, these parties also belied the government claims that the Congress was isolated by joining the latter in the well of the House to protest on specific issues, such as issuing the caste census data on backward classes and a high court for Telangana.

The Trinamool Congress had a protest sit-in outside the House to protest the land acquisition bill. But, once proceedings started, its Sudip Bandyopadhyay suggested to the Speaker that the House take up the terrorrist attack issue and then other issues like farmers’ distress and the land Bill. “We should start somewhere,” he said. The House functioned for much of Question Hour and then Zero Hour, also taking up issues of public importance, beside a discussion on the attack in which nearly all parties took part. The chair refused permission to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to speak on the issue as the party had continued to protest when other MPs had spoken. Congress president Sonia Gandhi appeared to be coordinating the protests, with Vice President Rahul Gandhi also present.

In the House, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley re-introduced the Negotiable Instruments Bill and Law Minister Sadananda Gowda introduced a Bill to repeal old laws. The House also took up discussion on the Delhi High Court (Amendment) Bill.

Kalam mourning

Seven days of official national mourning was announced at the passing away of former President Abdul Kalam. The two Houses of Parliament will adjourn for the day on Tuesday, after an obituary reference.