(Updating after deleting certain words which were expunged by

Congress today disrupted Rajya Sabha proceedings raising questions over Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa's decision to advance the state assembly session and sought his dismissal, inviting sharp reactions from the treasury benches.
Raising the issue soon after the House assembled for the day, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad suggested that the Governor was "interfering" with the activities of the state government and the Legislature over summoning of Winter Session of the assembly and "deciding" its agenda "without the state government requesting for it".
Azad made a strong attack on the style of functioning of Rajkhowa. However, a number of his remarks were expunged later.

Alleging that the most "undemocratic thing" has happened in this case some that did not occur "even during the British period", Azad said, "Governor summoned assembly session without consulting the state government or the Chief Minister. Governor himself fixed the agenda and decided that the Assembly Speaker will not preside over the proceedings. This is not within the jurisdiction of the Governor."
"Our party will not allow it to happen. The Opposition will not allow it," he said alleging that the Constitution is being violated.
As soon as Azad raised the issue, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley disapproved of Parliament discussing a matter concerning a state assembly.

"Can the proceedings of an Assembly be discussed in the House? What is happening in a state Assembly, it has never been discussed in the House and should never happen," he said, telling the Chair that if this was allowed in Rajya Sabha, the state assemblies will later be discussing parliamentary proceedings in future.

Raising a point of order, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the House cannot sit over making judgements on the proceedings of an Assembly and neither can the role of a governor be discussed here.
Rajkhowa has summoned the Winter Session of the 6th
Legislative Assembly from tomorrow till December 18, modifying the November 3 order summoning the assembly from January 14 to 18 next year.

Narrating the sequence of events, Azad said on November 6, some Congress MLAs gave a notice to remove Deputy Speaker of Assembly, who belongs to Congress party. Three days later, BJP MLAs sent a notice seeking the removal of the Speaker, he said.
Azad also claimed that Rajkhowa has decided that the Speaker would not preside over the session.
The order to advance the assembly session stipulates that the resolution seeking the Speaker's removal would be the first item of business in the session.
The Leader of Opposition also accused the Governor of "evil interference" in the state government's functioning.

He also acknowledged that "Congress has some rebels there, including the Deputy Speaker".
In the 60-member state Assembly, Congress has 47 MLAs and BJP 11.
The last session of the Assembly had come to an end on October 31, which was prorogued on November 3.
Citing rules, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said that since the notice given by Azad to take up the matter was "not a substantive motion" required to discuss the functioning of people holding posts like that of Governor, a discussion on the matter cannot be allowed.
"Rule 38 is very clear that the conduct of a Governor can be discussed only through a substantive motion. I have seen the notice given by the LOP. This motion is under Rule 267. It is not a substantive motion. It is a motion only for suspension of business. What can I do? You should have given a substantive motion," Kurien said.

As Congress refused to budge, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi attacked the party saying "You have once again come out with a new excuse. You say that you do not want the House to run."
Naresh Gujral (SAD) said that Congress members do not want the House to function. Mayawati (BSP) said also wanted to speak on the matter as she briefly touched on the role of Governors in Uttar Pradesh as well.
As the Congress members refused to vacate the Well and kept shouting slogans, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for 30 minutes.