Washout in Parl over Lalit Modi, Vyapam issues

Parliament today saw a washout as the opposition aggressively pressed for ouster of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, as also Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, rejecting the government's offer for a debate.
Both Houses saw strong demands for resignation of Swaraj and Raje for their dealings with Lalit Modi, former IPL Chairman who is being investigated by ED in an alleged money laundering case. There were also demands for Chouhan's resignation in connection with the Vyapam scam.
While Rajya Sabha failed to transact any business for the second straight day due to the uproar, Lok Sabha was paralysed on the first working day of the Monsoon Session. Both Houses were adjourned for the day, minutes past 2 PM.

In the Upper House, as soon as obituary references were made, several opposition parties, including the Congress, BSP and the Left, insisted that no debate was possible without the resignation of Swaraj, Raje and Chouhan.
Satish Chandra Misra (BSP), Naresh Agarwal (SP), Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) and D Raja (CPI) said they had given notices under Rule 267 to suspend business to take up discussion on Lalit Modi issue and Vyapam scams.
Defending Swaraj, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked the opposition to point out one provision of the law which she has violated in allegedly trying to help Lalit Modi.

Jaitley, while insisting on a discussion, hit back at Congress by referring to allegations of financial irregularties against its Chief Ministers in Himachal Chief Minister, Pudducherry and Kerala.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad suggested that some members who had given adjournment notice should be allowed to speak, prompting Jaitley to protest and ask whether such a practice could be allowed everyday.
Jaitley accused the opposition of doing politics of slogan-shouting. "There has been enough of politics of slogan-shouting. You start with the debate. The House will not allow slogan-shouting," the BJP leader said.