Logjam over Gaza situation washes out RS proceedings

Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out today as opposition insisted on an immediate discussion on Gaza situation even as Chairman Hamid Ansari said the matter can be taken up at a later date while rejecting government's plea against a debate.
For the second continuous day, the Opposition parties like Congress, Left, SP, JD(U) and Trinamool locked horns with the Chair, who kept repeating that the government was consulted but it has not yet given any date for the debate.
However, the Opposition maintained that since the debate could not take place yesterday despite being listed in the business, it should be taken up today.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the list of business is day-specific and so yesterday's business cannot be conducted today.
The House saw a complete deadlock over the rules and procedures ever since it met for the day, leading to three adjournments before Kurien called it a day just before 3pm.
Before adjourning the House, Kurien asserted that a lot of arguments has taken place over the procedures and "the matter is closed now". He then called Prabhat Jha (BJP) to initiate discussion on Rail Budget.

This triggered an uproar and some members trooped into the Well, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.

Earlier giving his ruling on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's request made yesterday, Ansari said, "I am unable to accede to the request of the Minister" and cited rules in favour of the notices given by the opposition in this regard.
Swaraj had opposed any debate on the issue arguing it is not admissible as it is not primarily concern of Government of India and any discourteous remark could affect India's relations with Israel and Palestine.
"I do not find any infirmity in the notices given by the Leader of the Opposition and others," Ansari said, referring to the demand by the opposition for a debate.