RS proceedings stalled by Cong protests

Relentless protest by Congress members over its "vendetta politics" charge against the government in the 'National Herald' case virtually stalled Rajya Sabha proceedings today, taking a toll of both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour.
The Upper House saw repeated adjournments in the pre- lunch session with Congress members trooping into the Well raising slogans against the government and the Prime Minister.
The House was adjourned five times - twice each during Zero Hour and the Question Hour and once after it reassembled at 2 PM, as the government charged the main opposition party with making the House a 'hostage'.

While Congress members continued to raise anti-government slogans from the Well, AIADMK members also moved into the aisles in the morning demanding that the devastation caused by the Chennai floods be declared a national calamity.
The noisy scenes first forced Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the House till 1130 hours and then again till noon. Kurien also got the listed papers of the day laid on the table and then called for Zero Hour mentions, as noisy scenes continued.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised a point of order objecting to the opposition members' behaviour.

"Ministers are sitting in the House to answer questions of members. If some members are not seeking to ask questions, why other members are being prevented from doing so. Some people cannot hold the House to ransom. Unfortunately, some people are taking this House hostage. The House needs your protection," he told Chairman Hamid Ansari.

As unrelenting Congress members continued their noisy protest, Ansari adjourned the proceedings till 2 PM. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House reassembled, forcing its adjournment till 3 PM.
Earlier in the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari read out a message on the anniversary of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN.

But soon thereafter, Congress members stormed the Well raising slogans like "Modi teri tanashahi nahi chalegi (Prime Minister's authoritarianism will not be tolerated)."
BJP members were also on their feet, as Telecom Minister
Ravi Shankar Prasad reiterated that the government was ready for discussion on "all issues".
"We are ready for a debate on all the issues, including the National Herald case and Himachal Pradesh chief minister's issue. We are ready for a debate right away. Why is Parliament not allowed to function...They are running away from debate. Start discussion on...On all issues," he said amid din.
When the House assembled at 2 PM, Naresh Agrawal (SP), who was to speak on the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, cited the absence of a Cabinet Minister in the House but Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot was present.

But by then Congress members trooped into the well raising slogans, with Agrawal requesting the Chair to first bring the House in order for him to speak.
Naqvi said since the discussion has already started so he should start speaking on the bill.
In the meanwhile, Anubhav Mohanty (BJD) raised the issue of Polvaram alleging that the government has become "a party to it instead of playing the role of an arbitrator".
"My state of Odisha is agitated. This is a social issue not a political issue," he said, demanding that there should be "no Polavaram before the Supreme Court decision" and asked the government to "withdraw" its decision on it. He also soought an "immediate assurance" from the Centre that there will no Polavaram till the Supreme Court decided on the issue.

BJD has been resisting the decision to hike the proposed dam's height saying it was done without taking the Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments into confidence.
As Congress members kept shouting slogans from the Well, a visibly exasperated Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he is "helpless". "You help me. I will be very grateful for that. Nobody is helping me," he said.
Citing Parliament rules, Naqvi asked the Chair that those making noise in the House should be "sent outside".
"Rules will help you. Please send them outside and give them leave, those who are making noise here, so that they can introspect on how they are harming national interest. Let them shout at Jantar Mantar or sit at dharna at Gandhi Samadhi. Some good sense could prevail on them after that.

"No charcha (debate), only kharcha (expenditure). Common man is being burdened. Development and reforms have been stalled for their own political interest. The House needs the Chair's protection. The Chairman should use his authority to protect the interests of the House," Naqvi said.
When Rajya Sabha met at 3 PM, Congress members rushed
again into the Well shouting slogans like "We will not allow Modi government's authoritarianism".
Amid noisy scenes, the Deputy Chairman read out the report of the today's Business Advisory Committee meeting.
The House could not take up the Whistleblower bill for discussion as unrelenting Congress members continued to shout slogans.

Kurien said, "I am sorry, our members are howling and shouting. What can I do? I cannot take the bill. It is very unfortunate and sad state of affairs."
Amid din, the Chair allowed members to lay their Special Mentions.
Kurien appealed to Congress members to allow the House to function, but they did not relent, forcing him to call it a day.