Congress stalls Rajya Sabha proceedings over Gadkari issue

The party demanded his resignation over CAG report alleging irregularities in loan to his family-linked firm

Congress party today stalled proceedings of the Rajya Sabha for the third straight day demanding Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's resignation over CAG report alleging irregularities in loan to his family-linked firm.

The House witnessed three adjournments in the pre-lunch session as proceedings continued to be disrupted by a slogan- shouting opposition members, particulary the Congress.

Barely had the listed papers been laid on the table, Congress members were up on their feet demanding suspension of business to discuss the CAG report, forcing two adjournments before noon.

Reacting to the continued disruptions, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley charged the Congress with not allowing the House to function as it does not want certain Bills to be passed.

"Internal compulsions of Congress party should not become compulsion of the House," he said adding there was no basis for suspending business.

He said when UPA was in government, IREDA came out with a one-time-settlement scheme for loans given to various companies. "Today CAG has commented on that scheme," he said.

The CAG report will go to the Public Accounts Committee where it will be discussed and the report later presented to the House, he said. "There is no big issue."

Noting that Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had made a statement on the report yesterday, Jaitley said "You had opportunity to seek clarification from the Minister... yesterday, they had facility of asking questions (to the Minister). They did not do so."

As he said this, the members trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans demanding resignation of Gadkari. They were countered by slogan shouting from the treasury benches.

Challenging Jaitley, Pramod Tiwari (Cong) said he has asked "to prove that Gadkari was corrupt. I have proof. I will prove it," and continued to persist with his notice for suspension of business for discussing CAG report.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he would not allow the notice as the minister has already made a statement and added that "if need be, clarifications can be sought." But as the slogan shouting continued, he adjourned the proceeding till 1130 hours.